Playground Safety

A Quick Checklist for Parents

Place this list in a prominent area of your home for quick reference. Then, before your children head out the door for the playground, check that:

  • 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.
    Preschoolers, 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, there are no exposed footings, etc.
  • Safety checklists are available from the CPSC or the National Program for Playground Safety.

National Program for Playground Safety
School of Health, Physical Education & Leisure Services
WRC 205, University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0618


Latest News


Congratulations to CCMC! Corpus Christi Medical Center is pleased to announce that the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) has recommended that Bay Area Medical Hospital be designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI and Doctors Regional Medical Center be designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center. The SCPC, founded in 1998 by cardiology and emergency medicine physicians, is a Nonprofit organization that bridges cardiology, emergency medicine, and Emergency Medical Service to reduce cardiac deaths.

Both facilities have been certified with the SCPC through phases 1 and 2. Phase 3 was completed this week by meeting the required 8 key elements and passing an on-site survey. Our facilities are 2 of only 693 accredited chest pain centers in the United States.

Many of you participated in the STEMI drills over the last few weeks or in the actual survey drills this week. Great job! Join us as we celebrate another accomplishment made possible because of each and every CCMC team member.