Playground Safety for Children 5 to 9 years
Help children have fun at the playground so they won't get hurt
Playground injuries:
- Are a common reason for children to be treated at the hospital for an injury.
- Can be serious, especially when children fall from high equipment onto a hard surface.
- Occur on school, park and backyard equipment.
Who is most at risk?
- Children 5–9 years of age are injured more frequently at a playground than at any other age.
When are children most at risk?
- When there is a lack of adult supervision.
- When many children are on the equipment.
Kids are unpredictable.
Injuries don't have to be.
Learn how injuries can occur as children grow
Kids are curious, active and imaginative.
Between 5–9 years of age they:
- Like to be the biggest, fastest and best!
- Enjoy jumping, balancing and climbing.
- Think they can do more than they are able to do.
- May not see the danger in what they are doing.
- May forget the safety rules, especially when excited.
- May not be able to judge how far away a piece of equipment is and whether they can reach it.
- May be influenced by older children to try new things and use equipment in ways that can be dangerous.
Create safer places for children
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Do a safety-check before children play and report damaged playground equipment to your local parks and recreation or school office:
- Choose playgrounds with a deep, soft surface such as sand, pea gravel, mulch, or rubber chips. You should be able to dig your heel into the ground to a depth of 15 cm (6 inches).
- Check the surface for sharp objects, garbage and animal waste.
- Make sure the handrails and railings are secure and free from splinters.
- Check that the openings in the equipment are less than 9 cm (3.5 inches) or greater than 22.5 cm (9 inches) to prevent a child’s head from getting stuck.
- Inspect the playground for any damaged equipment (rough edges, loose bars, broken swing chains, nails and bolts that stick out).
- Most public playgrounds have been updated to meet new safety standards. However, private or backyard play equipment, including trampolines, may not yet be designed to meet these standards.
- Use equipment designed for your child's age. Playgrounds are designed for two age groups: for children less than 5 years old, and for those 5–12 years old.
- Choose playgrounds with shaded areas when possible.
- Call The City of Toronto at 3-1-1 if dogs are off leash in playground areas and become a safety issue for children.
- Do not use playground equipment in the winter. The ground is frozen and it becomes a more dangerous surface on which to fall. Mitts and boots make it more difficult for children to use the equipment safely.
Watch children closely
Parents and caregivers:
- Actively supervise your children at the playground.
- Stand next to children when they are learning a new skill or climbing.
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Reduce a child’s chance of choking on the play equipment:
- Avoid dressing children in clothes with drawstrings or scarves.
- Remove bike helmets before playing on the equipment.
- Do not take skipping ropes into the playground area.
- Avoid dressing children in clothes with drawstrings or scarves.
Create and follow family safety rules
Teach children the playground safety rules including:
- Wait and take turns.
- Walk away from bullying and unsafe situations.
- Slide down feet first on a slide and walk up the steps or ladders. Do not run up the slide.
- Never push.
- Wear shoes with rubber soles and laces tied.
- Take your helmet off before you play on the equipment.
- Tell an adult if the equipment is broken.
Produced in partnership with York Region Community and Health Services Department.
Last updated on August 2011
