Playground Safety Checklist for Parents (2026)

By Lisa Anderson · October 1, 2026

Each year, over 200,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for playground-related injuries. Most of these are preventable with a quick safety check before play. This 25-point checklist, based on CPSC guidelines, helps you identify hazards in under 5 minutes.

The 25-Point Safety Checklist

Surface and Ground (Points 1-5)

1. Surface material is appropriate: wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, rubber mulch, or poured-in-place rubber (minimum 12 inches deep for equipment up to 8 feet high)
2. No concrete, asphalt, packed dirt, or grass under equipment (these don't absorb impact)
3. Surface extends at least 6 feet beyond equipment in all directions
4. No standing water, ice, or debris on surfaces
5. Loose fill material hasn't been displaced (check under swings especially)

Equipment Condition (Points 6-15)

6. No rust, splinters, or sharp edges on metal/wood structures
7. All bolts and fasteners are tight and covered
8. No gaps between 3.5 and 9 inches (head/neck entrapment risk)
9. Swing seats are rubber/plastic, not wood or metal
10. Swings are spaced at least 24 inches apart
11. No S-hooks that could catch clothing
12. Slide surfaces are cool enough to touch (test in summer!)
13. Handrails present on all elevated platforms
14. Guardrails on platforms above 20 inches (preschool) or 30 inches (school-age)
15. No protruding bolts or hardware that could catch drawstrings

Surroundings (Points 16-20)

16. Equipment is at least 6 feet from fences, walls, or trees
17. No tripping hazards: tree roots, rocks, concrete footings exposed
18. Adequate shade or shelter available
19. Clear sightlines for supervising adults
20. Emergency phone access and first aid kit location known

Child Behavior (Points 21-25)

21. Children wearing appropriate clothing (no drawstrings, loose scarves)
22. Age-appropriate equipment selected
23. No bikes or trikes near play equipment
24. Adult supervision ratio is adequate (1:5 for preschool, 1:10 for school-age)
25. Rules established: no pushing, wait turns, climb properly