Describes playgrounds as places where children can take important, exploratory risks (i.e., actively respond to challenges and adventures) within a sheltered environment. Discusses the need for supervision and observation. Suggests ways to make children feel secure about the playground and the risks that can be taken there. (DMM)

This report provides an overview of public playground equipment injuries, identifies risks associated with different types of equipment and surfaces, and examines the possible effects of approaches to reducing these injuries. Findings include the following: (1) falls are the most common type of playground equipment accident, (2) the proportion of…

This study was designed to examine the issue of the safety of children's formal play environments. Safety was defined in terms of morbidity and mortality data. Protection and safety education were considered the prime factors in accident prevention while the goal of a safety program was considered to be the minimizing of injuries. Several data…

Playground safety in Australia has evolved from being an issue for parents, teachers, city engineers, and other generalists to an issue for specialists. This paper takes the position that the general community must become involved in playground planning, renovation, and maintenance. After presenting statistics on playground settings and playground…