A playground checklist is a tool to help you with your playground's regular maintenance. It's like a to-do list, but this list is about ensuring your playground is safe for children's play.
If you have a playground or play space at a park, school, or even in your community, using a checklist can help prevent accidents and keep the wide selection of commercial playground equipment working well. It's a straightforward way to make sure kids can play safely and have fun without any worries.
CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) strongly recommend establishing a regular and proactive maintenance program for your outdoor play equipment.
The importance of the checklist to ensure the well being of your child is evident; according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) statistics, 200,000 children are brought to hospitals' emergency departments each year because of playground related injuries.
So here's our guide to help you get started:
Let us guide you through the most important items to include in your playground safety checklist, whether it is a commercial playground checklist or a general outdoor playground equipment checklist for the different types of play equipment in your play space, whether it is inclusive playgrounds, themed playgrounds, a school playground, or a community playground.
Using a commercial or school playground checklist for your play space and outdoor play equipment is as easy as checking off grocery items you already put into your cart.
To effectively use the checklist on your play space and play structure, you must be familiar with the following:
You should check the play space and the different playground structures regularly. The exact frequency depends on how much the outdoor play systems get used or what the weather is like.
For example, if the playground is in a busy park or near a school, you might want to check it every day or at least every week. This way, you can quickly take care of things like trash, broken equipment, or surfaces that need attention.
And if you live in a very humid or rainy environment your equipment will be prone to rust and corrosion which should increase the frequency of your inspection and maintenance.
Not all checks need to be done every day. Some things, like making sure there's no trash or if the playground safety surfacing is even, can be done daily or weekly.
But for more detailed checks—like making sure the equipment isn't rusting or that nothing is coming loose—you can do these every few months.
It's a good idea to have someone who knows a lot about playground safety do these bigger checks, especially if it's a public or commercial playground.
The best playground equipment will not last long without proper maintenance, it's important to have a thorough checklist that covers all the bases.
Your checklist should be tailored to your specific playground because every playground is different.
Each playground is unique, so your checklist should be too. For example, if your outdoor playground equipment has parts made of wood, you'll need to check for splinters, rotting wood, and insect manifestations. This also applies to wood mulch surfacing.
If you're in a place where it rains a lot, you'll need to keep an eye on rust and make sure the surfaces don't get too slippery.
Revise your checklist to match the outdoor playground equipment and environment of your playground.
Don't be reactive, be proactive. It's not just about fixing things as they break.
You should plan for regular maintenance over time. Keep a record of all the inspections and repairs you do.
This will help you see any ongoing issues and will be useful if you need to budget for bigger repairs or upgrades in the future. For example, using loose materials for safety playground surfacing will require you to replenish it every few years to maintain its required safe depth.
A playground checklist is necessary to help you maintain the safety and functionality of your playground. It's a straightforward way to ensure that your playground is always in good condition, which prevents accidents and keeps your children safe as they play.
Creating and using your personal playground checklist involves several key steps: checking the equipment for wear and tear, ensuring the safety surfacing is in place, and being vigilant about potential hazards. By regularly inspecting your playground and tailoring your checklist to your specific environment, you can proactively address issues before they become major problems.
Remember, the goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable space for children, whether you're managing a community park, a school playground, a commercial play area, or any outdoor playground equipment. With a well-thought-out checklist and a commitment to routine maintenance, you can guarantee your playground remains a place of fun and safety for generations to come.
Explore our related articles for expert tips on keeping your playground safe and well-maintained.
Mandy has been a playground salesperson and CPSI-certified playground inspector for 12 years. Her passion for play shines through her work, and with years of experience in the playground world, her knowledge of playground safety is unparalleled. In her free time, Mandy enjoys watching her kids play baseball.
