Jungle Gym Safety

Jungle gyms can provide hours of entertainment for children; however, specific safety precautions must be followed to ensure safety.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year 200,000 children under the age of 14 are admitted to hospitals due to playground-related injuries. The organization estimates that approximately 45 percent of these injuries include severe fractures, concussions, dislocations, internal injuries and amputations. Jungle gyms can provide hours of entertainment for children; however, specific safety precautions must be followed to ensure safety from injuries and death.

Common Injuries

One of the most common injuries that jungle gym climbers experience is a fractured or broken elbow, usually occurring after a child falls from the equipment. Children also have suffered severe head traumas and injuries from hitting their heads on the metal bars when swinging and hanging by their legs.

Finding a Location

A jungle gym can be constructed of a variety of apparatuses, including monkey bars, swings, climbers and slides, and therefore considerable planning is required when looking for the most appropriate location. The best location for your jungle gym is in an area that is free from overhanging trees, bushes and utility cables. It is essential that your jungle gym is installed on a flat level surface, as this will provide greater stability for the climbers.

Jungle Gym Surface

It is imperative that the surface of your jungle gym is lined with impact-absorbing material such as sand, mulch, clean shredded rubber or pea gravel. The surface should extend 6 feet from the edge of the jungle gym equipment and be a minimum of 3 feet deep. This will provide adequate cushioning for children if they accidentally fall or trip. A border can be built around the jungle gym's perimeter to contain the impact-absorbing material.

Supervision

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that approximately 40 percent of playground injuries are sustained because of a lack of adequate supervision. When supervising your child on the jungle gym, stay involved in their play habits. Follow them around the jungle gym to ensure that they do not engage in any dangerous play.

Playing Safe

Children who are playing on a jungle gym must follow specific rules in order to lessen their chance of injury. When supervising children, make sure they do not hang upside down from the bars or stand freely atop the jungle gym structure. Children should have both hands on the equipment at all times to help lessen their chances of falling. It is dangerous for children to play under the climbing apparatus, as they may be injured if other children fall or drop from the apparatus.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Playground Injuries
• The Alaska Association of School Business Officials: Playground Safety
• American Chronicle: Safety Tips for Installing Backyard Swing Sets, Children's Play Equipment, Slides and Jungle Gyms
• Sanford School Department: Playground Safety Rules