How can I reduce the risk for playground injuries?

Playgrounds are important for helping children stay active and healthy, but they are also a source of injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 200,000 playground injuries occur every year in children under 14 years old. Reducing these injuries depends primarily on two things: proper supervision and proper playground equipment. Lowering the maximum fall height, reducing the likelihood of falls and providing a softer surface to fall on are all things that have been shown to reduce injuries on playgrounds. Unfortunately, much of the older equipment is not as safe as newer equipment.