Sixty-two percent of these injuries occur when children fall from playground equipment, often onto hard and unforgiving surfaces. In order to make playgrounds safer, the National Safety Council offers a few simple guidelines for backyard, school, park or other types of playgrounds. Make sure the surfacing can cushion falls. Ground surfacing should lessen the likelihood of injuries from falls. Synthetic surfacing systems such as multi-layered and interlock rubber matting also are good.
All surfaces have pros and cons.
However, grass, dirt and asphalt are not acceptable because they do not afford enough cushioning in the event of falls. In general, a ground covering of sand or wood chips should be about 12 inches deep under each piece of equipment where falls are likely, such as a climbing apparatus, swing or slide. The cushioning material should extend six feet out from all sides of the equipment to accommodate a fall. Loose materials need to be replenished because wear, weather and other factors reduce their effectiveness. Sand and other similar materials should be raked on a regular basis.