The purpose of this study was to investigate school playground safety practices. The study used a purposeful sample of school nurses who attended a playground safety workshop at the 2006 National Association of School Nurses annual conference. Seventy-five questionnaires were distributed, and 64 useable questionnaires were returned. The responses…

Playgrounds are a major source of unintentional injuries in the school environment. In fact, 80% of all injuries on public playground equipment happen at school. Thus, the need for developing a playground injury prevention plan is critical to provide safe educational outdoor environments for children. The S.A.F.E.[TM] framework for injury…

The principal, teachers, custodial staff, parents, and students must cooperatively create a play environment that meets four critical safety requirements: supervised children, age-appropriate design, falls to cushioned surfaces, and equipment and surface maintenance. The National Program for Playground Safety has developed a model incorporating…

Reports results of random survey of principals in 105 Iowa elementary schools about playground supervision practices. Recommends that school boards take a leadership role in creating safe playgrounds by requiring all elementary schools to have at least two supervisors with safety training on the playground at all times. (PKP)

Examines issues surrounding playground safety, noting the role that the journal "Leisure Today" and the American Association for Leisure and Recreation have played in improving playground safety standards. Some of the safety issues include: age appropriate design, playground surfacing, adult supervision, and maintenance. (SM)

As schools try to do more with less, many PTAs are working with school officials to help improve the school environment. Playground safety is one area where PTAs can make a difference. For example, PTAs can work with schools to schedule volunteers to help with recess supervision. They can also teach children the rules of the playground and how to…