Accidents will happen, even at a park with rubber-coated metal bars and soft landing surfaces. Children must be old enough and big enough to navigate the equipment, and parents or teachers must be vigilant. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the American Society of Testing and Materials, the National Program for Playground Safety and other agencies have recommended standards to minimize the risk of playground-related injuries. Make sure the surface underneath equipment, especially climbing structures and slides, is soft. Sand is recommended underneath swing sets.
Many playground injuries occur on hard-packed earth, asphalt or concrete surfaces.
Climbing Equipment and slides should be no higher than six feet off the ground. All equipment should be firmly anchored. Swings, which can become dangerous projectiles, should be made of lightweight, impact-absorbing materials like plastic or rubber. Slides should not have more than a 30 O incline. Plastic is considered safer than metal.