Backyard Playground and Trampoline Safety

Rebecca Stutts Hovater

Kids love to play and explore and one of the best places to do that is their own backyard. So it’s important that you know all you can about playgrounds and trampoline safety.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 51,000 emergency room visits are the result of injuries from home playground equipment each year. And while the numbers are decreasing, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports 98,000 trampoline-related injuries occurred in 2009, resulting in 3,100 hospitalizations.

Here are some of the basic safety guidelines that the Consumer Safety Product Commission recommends in their Home Playground Safety Tips:

Home Playground

• Install playground sets properly. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions. If you need help, you may want to contact a professional installer.
• Avoid pressure treated wood. Although most manufacturers of outdoor equipment quit using this material in 2004, make sure your backyard playground equipment doesn’t contain pressure-treated wood. Exposure to arsenic in pressure-treated wood can increase the risk of certain types of cancers.
• Check for protruding hardware. hooks, protruding bolt ends, and any sharp points or edges can be hazardous. Make sure they are removed or properly covered.
• Install and maintain a shock-absorbing surface. The play area should be at least 6 feet in all directions beyond any play equipment. Depending on the height of the equipment, the surface should have at least 7 inches of double shredded bark mulch, wood chips, fine sand, or fine gravel, Replenish the base each year as they can lose much of their material or become compacted during the winter.
• Remove tripping hazards. Concrete footings, tree stumps, rocks, and other exposed hazards can be dangerous to children running around the playground.
• Check for spaces that could trap children. Openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches. Children can become stuck or trapped in these areas.
• Make sure platforms, walkways, and ramps have guardrails. These are common area where children fall, so make sure they are installed.
• Check slide and platform heights. They should be no higher than 6 feet for school-age children, or 4 feet for pre-school age children.
• Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes. These can be extremely dangerous and cause strangulation.
• Regularly check play equipment. Make sure all supports are solid and the surfacing is in good condition.
• Supervise children at all times. An adults should monitor play to make sure children are safe.

Trampoline Safety

As much fun as it is, jumping on trampolines can be very risky for both children and adults. Strains, sprains, fractures, and other injuries — such as serious neck and head injuries — can result from falling off a trampoline or using it incorrectly.

The risk of injury is so great the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that trampolines should never be used at home or in outdoor playgrounds. But — if you choose to buy a trampoline despite the risks — they recommend the following safety rules from their Trampoline Safety in Childhood and Adolescence brochure (pdf):

• Only one person should jump at a same time. Having multiple people on a trampoline at the same time can lead to injury.
• Tell kids not to attempt somersaults and flips. These are among the most common causes of permanent, devastating cervical spine injuries.
• Adults must provide constant, active supervision. They should never let children use a trampoline alone and be willing to enforce all safety guidelines.
• Homeowners should check their insurance policies. Verify that your insurance policies cover trampoline-related claims.
• Trampolines should have adequate protective padding. It should be in good condition and appropriately placed.
• Set at ground level. Trampolines should be set at ground level whenever possible, or on a level surface and in an area cleared of any surrounding hazards.
• Inspect protective padding, net enclosure, and any other damaged parts. These should be examined frequently and replaced as needed.
• Discard trampoline if it is broken beyond repair. Also dispose if replacement parts are unavailable.

Playing in the backyard creates some of the best memories a child can have. Make sure your family stays safe by installing and maintaining your backyard equipment properly and children are supervised at all times.

The above listing of safety precautions is not intended to be exhaustive. It is also recommended that consumers follow the applicable playground and trampoline product manufacturer safety and use guidelines.