Pediatric Dental Specialists Want to Know if Your Playground is Safe

Summer is coming and that means your kids will be spending lots of time outside. Playgrounds are everywhere from your backyard to the neighborhood park. It is important to know what safety features to look for before your child runs over to jump on a swing.


At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we found some important regulations on the American Association of Pediatricians' web site. They include what to look for on a public playground and tips on ensuring your home swing set is functioning properly.

Here is to a Happy and Safe Summer from Pediatric Dental Specialist!


--Carefully supervise young children using playground equipment. Keep children from shoving, pushing, or fighting.

--The surface under playground equipment should be energy absorbent. Use safety - tested mats or loose fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches.

--Install the protective surface at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.

--Swing seats should be made of something soft, not wood or metal.

--Children should not twist swings, swing empty seats, or walk in front of moving swings.

--Put home playground equipment together correctly. It should sit on a level surface and be anchored firmly to the ground.

--Cap all screws and bolts. Check periodically for loose nuts and bolts and broken, rusty, or sharp parts.

--Install playground equipment at least 6 feet from fences or walls.

--Check for hot metal surfaces on equipment such as those on slides, which could cause burns.

--Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to playground equipment because children can strangle on them.

Source: https://www.aap.org/family/playgrd.htm