Modern aquatic facilities, which include wave pools, water slides, and shallow water activity play pools, have a greater potential for injuries and lawsuits than conventional swimming pools. This article outlines comprehensive safety management for such facilities, including potential accident identification and injury control planning. (MT)

Liability suits involving accidents in park and recreation areas are expensive and intangible costs are incalculable. Risk management practices related to park planning, personnel, and administrative practices are discussed. (MT)

The typical American playground is antiquated, hazardous, and inappropriate for the developmental needs of children. The paper explains how design, installation, maintenance, and supervision are critical in preventing playground injuries and resulting litigation, noting the importance of regular training for everyone who supervises children on the…

Drownings in lifeguard supervised areas are often due to failure of guard to recognize signs of struggle, intrusion of nonlifeguard duties, and distraction from surveillance duties. Information on inservice training programs and suggestions for monitoring performance are given. (DF)

Though efforts to improve playground safety are consistent and ongoing, there has been no significant reduction in the rate of serious injuries. The article lists factors to consider when designing a safe playground, emphasizing the risk-taking inherent in children's play. (SM)

Playground safety is a critical issue in the United States. About 60-70% of all playground injury lawsuits carry a claim relating to inadequate maintenance. The article discusses U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines and American Society for Testing and Materials safety standards for playgrounds. (SM)

Canadian and American lifeguards completed a questionnaire about how they actually watched the water, investigating their observational techniques. About 85% of the lifeguards felt they needed systematic scanning strategies. Lifeguards showed a lack of attention to hazardous areas and high-risk guests. Effective systematic scanning strategies are…

Despite abundant information on playground safety, National Recreation and Parks Association members still search for ways to handle playground problems. Since each playground is unique, there is no simple answer. The paper makes recommendations on how to begin and create a playground safety plan. (SM)

Safe playgrounds are an essential mission for public park, recreation, education, and child care agencies. The article describes how to create safety programs and offers lists of safety program components, safety inspection steps, and preventive maintenance schedules. It also presents playground safety checklists and notes three available…

The National Playground Safety Institute believes it is essential to develop and administer a national voluntary certification program for playground safety inspectors. Certified individuals would routinely receive new information and instruction in new procedures. The paper discusses who should receive such certification and how they would be…

This collection of seven articles focuses on playgrounds, looking at such issues as the importance of play in child development, playground injuries and safety (including international playground safety), community playground improvement projects, and shock-absorbing playground surfaces. (SM)

This paper describes the evolution of playground safety, discussing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) "Handbook for Public Playground Safety" and examining the direction in which CPSC guidelines are moving. The paper notes the importance of certification of playground equipment, reviews pertinent questions to address, and…

The playground safety movement has made great strides since the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued its "Handbook for Public Playground Safety." The movement has been helped by compliance with American Society for Testing and Materials standards. Improvements in supervision, equipment, and surfacing have significantly reduced…

To reduce the number of playground accidents, it is important to develop and implement a comprehensive risk management program. The steps in creating a risk management program are develop a missions statement, reduce risks through proper equipment installation, maintain the playground, make timely decisions on risk control, and keep on file…