Playground Safety

Children playing on slide

Did You Know…

  • Nearly 80% of playground-related injuries are caused by falls, which is the most common type of playground injury.
  • About 45% of playground-related injuries are severe.
  • About 56% of playground-related injuries treated in the ER, are for scrapes, bruises, cuts and broken bones.
  • Children, ages 5-9, have higher rates of ER visits from playground-related injuries than any other age group.

Top Safety Tips

  • Actively supervise kids on playgrounds.
  • Take kids to playgrounds with shock-absorbing surfaces such as rubber, synthetic turf, sand, pea gravel, wood chips or mulch.
  • Dress appropriately for the playground. No jewelry, purses, scarves or clothing with drawstrings that can pose a strangulation hazard.
  • Teach children no pushing, shoving or crowding on the playground.

This page was last modified on 11/29/2021

https://www.ncosfm.gov/community-risk-reduction/safe-kids/playground-safety