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Playground Safety Checklist

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Toggle Before the Playground status

Before the Playground

Toggle Make sure all parties are properly dressed for the season and any weather surprises status

Make sure all parties are properly dressed for the season and any weather surprises

Bring sweaters or jackets in case it gets cool, and hats and sunglasses for sun protection.
Toggle Comfy clothes are a must status

Comfy clothes are a must

Make sure proper footwear (socks and gym/running shoes) is worn by all. Laces should be double-knotted tightly.
Toggle Visit the restroom first status

Visit the restroom first

Kids hate to ;interrupt ;playtime, and many playgrounds don't have public restrooms.
Toggle Pick a playground that is newer, clean, and conveniently located status

Pick a playground that is newer, clean, and conveniently located

Many older playgrounds feature metal play structures that are rusty and no longer safe. If you see an abundance of metal and concrete, search somewhere else. Newer playgrounds typically boast brightly colored durable plastic or stainless steel structures, with soft piles of woodchips or rubber foam surfaces in case of falls.
Toggle Items to Bring status

Items to Bring

Toggle Sunscreen status

Sunscreen

Toggle Bottled water and sugar-free juice boxes status

Bottled water and sugar-free juice boxes

Toggle Snacks status

Snacks

Bags of crackers, nuts and dried fruit are good for on-the-go munching.
Toggle Hand sanitizer status

Hand sanitizer

Toggle Diaper bag if you have toddlers or babies. status

Diaper bag if you have toddlers or babies.

Toggle Wipes status

Wipes

For getting sand or dirt off hands and faces, and wiping down any equipment.
Toggle Basic First Aid Kit status

Basic First Aid Kit

This should include band-aids, antiseptic and antibiotic ointment for minor injuries.
Toggle Small backpack for personal items like keys or small toys that kids might want to play with outside status

Small backpack for personal items like keys or small toys that kids might want to play with outside

(jump ropes, balls, etc.)
Toggle Play it Safe (Rules your children should know) status

Play it Safe (Rules your children should know)

Toggle No pushing, biting, kicking or fighting. status

No pushing, biting, kicking or fighting.

Children should know this, but may need reminding!
Toggle It's ok to run, skip, and jump, but make sure you have enough room and there aren't others in your way. status

It's ok to run, skip, and jump, but make sure you have enough room and there aren't others in your way.

Toggle Wait your turn to use swings, slides, and any other equipment that is single-use. status

Wait your turn to use swings, slides, and any other equipment that is single-use.

Toggle Don't jump from high surfaces status

Don't jump from high surfaces

Toggle Always slide feet-first status

Always slide feet-first

Kids - even small children - should not slide with another person, even an adult. Recent studies have shown that sliding down the slide with kids in your lap increases the risk of broken or fractured legs in toddlers, as the sliding pair often gets stuck. If your children are small, stand at the end of the slide to catch them, and have another adult or older child accompany them to the top.
Toggle Learn to share status

Learn to share

Waiting for your turn, and sharing playground toys like sandbox items, is an important part of playground playtime.
Toggle Don't fling sand in the sandbox, rub your eyes, or throw sand at others. status

Don't fling sand in the sandbox, rub your eyes, or throw sand at others.

Toggle Kids should know when to talk to an adult status

Kids should know when to talk to an adult

If other children are being abusive, it's time to tell a grown-up.
Toggle No monkeying on the monkey bars status

No monkeying on the monkey bars

The monkey bars can be especially dangerous, so make sure an adult is nearby to help kids get ;across.
Toggle One person to a single-swing (aside from tire swings) status

One person to a single-swing (aside from tire swings)

Make sure others are well out of the way while swinging. Don't jump from the swing. No "underdogs" allowed! (other kids should not be jumping under the swing while others are swinging).
Toggle Monitoring Playtime status

Monitoring Playtime

Toggle Stand by to hydrate and refresh status

Stand by to hydrate and refresh

When kids are having fun at play, they often forget to drink and eat. Make sure your little ones are refreshed regularly, and ask if they need to use the restroom regularly.
Toggle If there is no public restroom, ensure there are facilities nearby you can use for bathroom emergencies. status

If there is no public restroom, ensure there are facilities nearby you can use for bathroom emergencies.

Toggle Make sure you always have an eye on your kids status

Make sure you always have an eye on your kids

Dress children in easily recognizable article of clothing, such as a brightly colored hat or jacket with an interesting detail.
Toggle Be on the lookout for anyone suspicious status

Be on the lookout for anyone suspicious

Adults who are ;unaccompanied ;by children, who are lingering at the fringes of the play area should be watched. Anyone who seems very suspicious should be reported to the authorities.
Toggle When it starts getting dusky, it's time to skedaddle status

When it starts getting dusky, it's time to skedaddle

Even if your playground is in a well-lit area, being there after dark isn't a good idea.

Download or Print this Playground Safety Checklist

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Presented by:

Lauren Meir

Lauren Meir
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Tasks

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Tags

PersonalSafetyChildren

Details

Playgrounds are a great place to play, but you need to know the rules. Play it safe with our Playground Safety Checklist, and ensure that kids are protected while having fun.

Who it's for

This Playground Safety Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.

  • Avoid forgetting - keep all your Playground Safety essentials in one place (external memory)
  • Save time - start from a proven Playground Safety structure instead of a blank page
  • Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
  • Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
  • Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time

How to use it

How to use this Playground Safety Checklist

  • Save Playground Safety Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
  • Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Playground Safety (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
  • If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
  • Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.

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Scores 4.80 with 111 votes

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