Think back to your childhood days and how eagerly you watched the clock during school hours waiting for recess. You were only concerned with getting outside with your friends and didn’t give a second thought to safety. But as a parent or teacher, you are constantly aware of all the bad things that can happen to a child in your care. If you oversee a school or daycare center naperville il playground, here are three things you can do to make the play area safer.

Check the Ground Surface

As falls are a common reason for playground injuries, it’s important to make sure the ground is soft and able to absorb impact. Consider lining the play area with materials like rubber mats or playground mulch Cincinnati. Remove any tree stumps or other ground protrusions that a running child could trip over.

Limit Overcrowding

All playground structures should be placed far enough apart to limit the possibility of children running into each other. It’s especially important to make sure swing sets have plenty of room on all sides. Consider setting rules about how many children are allowed on popular structures at a given time, and be prepared to enforce those rules.

Schedule Playtime Wisely

Try to avoid scheduling recess between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is at its highest. If this isn’t possible, there are still precautions you can take. Limit the amount of time the children spend in direct sunlight, encourage parents to pack sunscreen and watch for signs of heat exhaustion. Keep in mind that if any playground equipment is hot underneath your hand that it presents a burn hazard. You can also install sun protection on the playground.

By taking the above precautions, you can help limit any potential playground injuries. It will set the parents’ minds at ease knowing that safety is a priority at your establishment.