Playground Safety Flooring
The safety of the playground flooring is one of the factors in the number of injuries reported each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries each year in the United States.
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Protective Flooring Functions
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Shock-absorbing playground flooring should be used under indoor or outdoor playground equipment. This will help reduce the chances of a serious injury if a child falls from the equipment.
Safe Types of Playground Flooring
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Wood mulch, rubber mulch, or sand should be maintained at a minimum of a nine-inch depth. Keep in mind that these materials will settle over time and will need to be refilled to achieve the minimum depth.
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Indoor Playground Warnings
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According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), carpet does not provide adequate protection to prevent injuries. Safety-tested rubber mats are one of the best flooring options for indoor playground equipment.
Outdoor Playground Warnings
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The CPSC also warns against installing outdoor playground equipment on concrete, asphalt, grass, dirt, or any other hard surface. These surfaces do not offer protection against falls.
Considerations
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Playground flooring should be kept clean and free from debris, like trash, tree limbs, rocks, or broken glass. Water drainage will need to be addressed to keep the playground flooring free of standing water.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of foundphotoslj
