Playground and equipment safety

The most common playground injuries are falls, often from climbing equipment, swings and trampolines. 

Keep outdoor play safe and fun with these easy tips. 

  • supervise your child around play equipment
  • choose play equipment that suits your child’s age - equipment that is over 1.5 metres high is not suitable for children under 5 years of age
  • make sure all outdoor play equipment is stable and well-anchored
  • have soft material under your play equipment if it is more than 60cm off the ground
  • have soft material under swings should be 2.5 metres past the farthest point in both directions
  • the surface under play equipment should be either:
    • loose-fill material, for example bark, mulch, wood chips or sand, that is 30cm deep
    • impact absorbing material, for example fake grass or rubber
  • considerations for other surfaces:
    • hard surfaces such as concrete, grass, dirt or gravel under play equipment should not be used
    • only certain types of sand are good for absorbing impact – check that you choose sand for playgrounds (not play sand)
    • rubber helps cushion falls, but it can get hot, and its safety depends on its age and whether it was installed properly.
Top causes of injuries from falls. 0-4 years: Furniture, playground equipment, stairs. 5-9 years: Playground equipment, slips, trips and stumbles, skates, skateboards and scooters. 10-14 years: Skates, skateboards and scooters, slips, trips and stumbles, playground equipment.