Playground Safety and Impact Attenuation Characteristics of Surfacing: A pilot study

The National Program for Playground Safety began collecting data for a playground safety study. The overall purpose of the study was to be able to discern 1) the general safety status of playground equipment and playground surfacing throughout the United States; and 2) the impact attenuation characteristics of safety surfacing. During the first year of the study, 103 public playgrounds were assessed, representing public schools and public parks. The data revealed there are safety concerns with playground equipment and surfacing materials. In fact, the study found there are playgrounds putting children at risk for injury through inadequate safety signage, lack of maintenance on equipment hardware (e.g. gaps, loose ropes, strings, and head entrapment). There are fewer issues with the performance of impact attenuation of surfacing materials. Most equipment had appropriate surface materials under and around the play structure which met impact attenuation performance. The research gathered in the study will allow for the University of Northern Iowa's NPPS to put greater safety awareness among those who manage, visit, install, and maintain playgrounds in communities, schools, parks, and child care centers.