Playground Safety and Maintenance: A Top Priority That Makes Good Sense

National Playground Safety Week will take place April 21st to April 25th, 2025, with the goal of highlighting the importance of responsible play. Each year, more than 200,000 children are treated in the emergency room for playground-related injuries. Nearly 80% of these injuries are caused by falls, usually because playgrounds are overcrowded, have uneven surfaces, or have unprotected elevated areas. Injuries can also be caused from the equipment itself, such as sharp edges, loose parts, or entrapment spaces.

With the spring season well on its way, and summer quickly approaching, now is as good a time as any to maintain public playgrounds in your community. Whether you’re a school administrator, park manager, HOA rep, or even someone who is passionate about safe spaces for kids to play, here is a comprehensive checklist that will help prevent injuries and ensure your equipment stays safe and fun!

Surfacing: The Foundation of Safety

Kids tumble—it’s part of the fun! But the right safety surfacing can turn a scary fall into a minor oops. Pay special attention to areas under swings, at slide exits, and around merry-go-rounds. These are common wear spots that may need refilling from time to time.

• Check for adequate impact-absorbing material like engineered wood fiber, rubber mulch, or poured-in-place rubber.
• Maintain the proper depth (typically 9–12 inches for loose-fill surfacing).
• Rake and level surfacing material regularly to avoid high-use areas becoming thin.
• Remove tripping hazards like roots, rocks, or exposed edges.

Equipment Check: From Slides to Climbers

Equipment should be fun and functionally sound. Bring a wrench, screwdriver, and tape measure to your inspection. You’ll likely need all three. Fortunately, these simple tools can fix a ton of problems.

• Inspect all bolts, screws, and fasteners. Tighten anything that is loose.
• Check for rust, cracks, or rot, especially on older metal or wooden structures.
• Ensure slides, swings, and seesaws move smoothly and securely.
• Look for missing or broken parts, like swing seats or hand grips.
• Examine plastic for cracks or UV damage, which can cause sharp edges.

Clean and Clear: Hygiene & Hazards

A safe playground is also a clean one. Not only does a tidy playground look welcoming and well-cared for, but also it helps keep pests away. Be sure to check for bee hives as part of your regular routine, especially during warmer months.

• Pick up trash and debris regularly.
• Wipe down high-touch surfaces—like handrails and swing chains—with a non-toxic cleaner.
• Check for insects, bees, or animal nests, especially in tunnels or under slides.
• Remove sharp objects or glass from play areas and surfacing.

Spacing and Layout: Room to Play

Proper spacing keeps playtime peaceful and reduces the chance of collision or overcrowding. Plus, great sightlines make it easier for caregivers to monitor multiple kids at the same time, an underrated safety booster!

• Ensure age-appropriate zones are clearly separated (toddlers vs. older kids).
• Keep adequate spacing between structures—minimum 6 feet between play equipment.
• Ensure clear, visible sightlines so adults can supervise easily.
• Check that pathways and access points are open and unobstructed.

Signage and Rules: Clear Communication

Clear communication makes a huge difference in creating a safe play environment. If your playground needs updated signage, consider adding some. This can help encourage rule-following in a fun way. Install signage with age recommendations, safety rules, and emergency info.

• Post maintenance contact info in case someone spots an issue.
• Use graphics and symbols for young children or multilingual communities.
• Encourage visitors to clean up after themselves.
• Label playground equipment with age recommendations and emergency info.
• Clearly post safety rules while visiting the playground.

Seasonal Safety Checkpoints

Seasons change, and so should your maintenance strategy. Add playground checks to your seasonal facility maintenance schedule to stay ahead of issues.

• In summer: Check for hot surfaces, especially metal slides or handrails.
• In fall: Clear wet leaves that can cause slips.
• In winter: Watch for ice or snow buildup; consider temporary closure if conditions are unsafe.
• In spring: Do a deep inspection after winter, paying attention to weather damage, erosion, or rust.

Recordkeeping: Your Maintenance Memory

Staying organized keeps your playground safer in the long run. Leverage digital tools or apps to make this process easier, especially if you’re a busy school district or city managing multiple playgrounds.

• Maintain a checklist log for each inspection.
• Document repairs, replacements, and updates.
• Schedule routine inspections—monthly or biweekly, depending on usage.

Playground Guardian: Your All-in-One Solution for Playground Safety and Maintenance

Taking care of a playground is a big responsibility, and obviously, the more spaces you care for, the more you have on your plate. Fortunately, there is a solution that can make this process simple and stress-free—Playground Guardian.

Playground Guardian provides personalized on-site maintenance such as low frequency inspections, playground audits, ADA assessments, and safety surfacing impact testing. Even sanitization and light maintenance (e.g., tightening bolts and hooks) are included! Additionally, this all-in-one solution comes with a cloud-based software program that monitors your entire playground and ensures all records are accessible and up to date. You can't ask for more!

Contact Cunningham Recreation at 800-438-2780 to learn more about these services and how to ensure your playground is safe, secure, and beautiful in time for summer!