March 2009 Editor's Letter
By: Jill Pinheiro

I've dedicated this space to playground safety several times over the years…and it's something that can't be over-addressed. Keeping your students safe on your school playground is of paramount importance.

The National Program for Playground Safety has a S.A.F.E. list to check before your students head out to play:

Supervision is present, but strings and ropes aren't.
Adult presence is needed to watch for potential hazards, observe, intercede, and facilitate play when necessary. Strings on clothing or ropes used for play can cause accidental strangulation if caught on equipment.

All children play on Age-appropriate equipment.
Children ages 2 - 5 and children ages 5 - 12 are developmentally different and need different equipment located in separate areas to keep the playground safe and fun for all.

Falls to surface are cushioned.
Nearly 70 percent of all playground injuries are related to falls to the surface. Acceptable surfaces include hardwood fiber/mulch, pea gravel, sand, and synthetic materials such as poured-in-place, rubber mats, or tiles. Playground surfaces should not be concrete, asphalt, grass, blacktop, packed dirt, or rocks.

Equipment is safe.
Check to make sure the equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed, bolts are not protruding, and there are no exposed footings.

As the weather warms, and your students begin to enjoy playing outside again, be sure that you've taken every possible measure to ensure their safety.

I'm always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@cspmag.com.

God Bless,

Jill Pinheiro
Managing Editor