It's a good idea to take an inventory of the equipment at the playground where your child plays. There should be no sharp or unfinished edges on any equipment. All hardware on equipment should be secure, with no loose parts. Plastic and wood should show no signs of weakening, and there should not be any splintered or rusted surfaces. If a part seems worn out, loose, or in need of other maintenance, designate it off-limits immediately and report the problem to your community or city park district.
Falls are a common playground injury.
To help prevent falls, all elevated surfaces must have guardrails. Equipment intended for children ages 5 and under must have guardrails on elevated surfaces taller than 20 inches. For older children, guardrails must be present on equipment taller than 30 inches. Check for hazardous debris such as sharp sticks or broken glass, and be sure that the sand is free of bugs. Sandboxes should be covered overnight to prevent contamination from animals, such as cats.