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Playground Safety Search

Whether going to a new playground or to your regular neighborhood playground, make it a rule to go on a Playground Safety Search.

What you need:

  • Playground Safety Checklist (HTML | PDF)
  • Ruler or meter stick

At the playground, you will:

    Use the Playground Safety Checklist and the ruler or meter stick as you work with your child to check the equipment and playground surface.

Set up rules:

  • Based on conditions at the playground, set rules for your child’s safety.
    For example:
    • If there is no guardrail around the slide platform, make the slide “off limits.”
    • If tree roots and rocks are exposed, then walk off “out of bounds” lines with your child to keep him/her away from tripping hazards.
  • Give children the chance to act responsibly. If you have more than one child in your care, set up a buddy system. Each child looks out for another and comes to let you know if there is a problem.

Play Tip: Read "Play Day in the Park (PDF)," a Building Blocks Easy Reader, starring all the Friends. As you read the book with your child, talk about ways the Friends have fun and play safely.

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Updated on 10/10/07