SHADE
- Locate play equipment in an area that is densely shaded when children are most likely to play
- Shade should provide a dark shadow. Use the shadow cast by your house, a structure or vegetation. Be aware of reflective surfaces
- Be a good role model and always dress yourself and children in broad brim hats, protective clothing, apply (and reapply) sunscreen regularly (No Hat No Play)
- Keep children out of the sun between 10am and 3pm when UV rays are strongest
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HOME PLAY EQUIPMENT
There are no laws covering the equipment children can play on in their own
back yard. There are Australian Standards for domestic equipment, but few manufacturers
cater to the domestic market. Family Day Care providers should check with their
licensed local scheme for specific requirements. Soft surfacing is necessary under
all play equipment; however, a rule of thumb for the back yard is to ask yourself if
you would be comfortable dropping to your knees from a standing position on that
surface? If you have home built equipment in your yard, do check it and keep in
mind the following points.
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HOME PLAY EQUIPMENT HAZARDS TO LOOK OUT FOR
- TOO LOOSE Home play equipment should be strong, sturdy, and securely anchored
- TOO HIGH Play equipment standing surfaces (usually a platform) should be no higher than 1m for children under 3 years and no higher than 1.5m for children under 6 years of age
- TOO CLOSE Under and around equipment, there should be a large clear space that has no hard objects onto which children might fall
- TOO HARD Surfaces under equipment should be soft enough to cushion falls
Most public equipment has soft material (such as bark or sand) at least 250mm deep
These surfaces should be turned over regularly to keep loose and free from animal fouling.
Well maintained grass is only suitable under equipment less than 500mm high
- TOO TIGHT Check for spaces that could trap a child's head or neck, particularly if they were to slip through feet first and not be able to support their weight (openings larger than 89mm and smaller than 230mm)
- TOO SHARP Watch for sharp edges that could cut; also splinters and protruding parts that could pierce skin, or tangle children's clothing
- ALWAYS
Secure ropes top and bottom so they cannot form a noose
Remove drawstrings from children's clothing
Supervise young children on and around play equipment
Inspect your equipment regularly
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SWINGS
Swings should be well anchored with a soft surface underneath, and a large clear
space all around them. Install swing sets away from fences, sandpits and walkways
(where other children will not run into a swinging child). Seats should be made
of a soft flexible plastic, and there should be plenty of clearance between two swings,
or the swing and the structure. Chain links can crush little fingers and should
be covered with plastic tubing. Be aware that all glide swings, and boat swings
can cause crush injuries and head injuries.
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PADDLING POOLS AND SWIMMING POOLS
Any above ground or in ground swimming pool must be fenced with an Australian
Standard isolation fence, with a self-closing latch on the gate. Always supervise
children anywhere near water, because children can drown in a very small amount
of water. Large inflatable paddling pools are a popular, low-cost, back yard alternative
to a full sized swimming pool, however, they can hold a significant amount of water,
and therefore present a drowning hazard. Always store your empty pool upright after
use so that does not fill with rainwater. Some portable pools may require fencing,
always check with your local council.
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If left unemptied paddling pools are a potential drowning hazard
- Always empty water from wading pools, buckets and containers after use and store upright
- Untreated water that is left for long periods can be a health hazard
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IF YOU OWN ANY SORT OF POOL CALL YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO SAFETY FENCING
Your portable pool will require a fence if:
- It has a filtration system
- It contains more than 2000 litres
(that's about 2m x 2m x 0.5m high)
- It can be filled to more than 450mm deep
(Building Act 1975)
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FACTS ABOUT WATER SAFETY
- Drowning is the major killer of children under 5 years
- More than 200 children drown in Australia each year
- Children can drown quickly and silently in only 5cm of water
- Never leave young children alone around water
- Ensure Australian Standard isolation fencing with maintained self-latching and self-closing gates is used around inground pools
- Never prop the gate open
- Install rigid covers over spas, and grilles in fish ponds
- Teach children water safety and water awareness
- Maintain current First Aid and resuscitation skills
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SANDPITS
Make your sandpit as large as possible, in a location with adequate shade. A flat edge
provides a building platform, and will allow you to sweep sand back into the pit. Some
large flat boulders are also useful for building and will double as seating. Water is
an essential ingredient in sand play, so ensure that your sandpit has access to water,
and that it drains well. Cover it after use to keep animals and debris out; a piece of
shade cloth fixed to two pieces of PVC pipe (or heavy chain) makes an ideal cover.
Fine white beach sand is popular, however, it does stick to clothes and becomes
slippery when it is easily tracked inside. Washed "pit sand" is a suitable alternative.
Sands that contain clay (brickies' loams) can stain clothes and dry hard after water play.
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TRAMPOLINES
Trampolines require active supervision, and parents need to ensure they can meet
certain safety measures to reduce the risk of injury.
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When buying and installing:
- Do read all safety, installation and maintenance information supplied with your trampoline
- Buy safety pads and fit them securely over the springs and frame
- Locate your trampoline over a level, soft surface
- At least 2.5m clear area around all four sides (no fences or hard objects) and 8m (from ground level) clearance above the trampoline
- Do not provide access by linking ladders or plants
- Regularly check the mat for tears and holes; that the springs are securely attached; leg braces are locked and the frame is not bent
When using the trampoline:
- Keep toddlers away when in use - they may go underneath
- Do not wear shoes, jewellery or buckles
- Children under 6 years require constant supervision
- Older children need strict guidelines on proper use
- Allow only one child at a time
- Teach your child to jump in the middle of the mat and not to jump off
- Only professionals should teach high-risk skills (like somersaults) at gym
- Always supervise
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TRAMPOLINE FACTS
- An estimated 1468 Queensland children attended hospital in 1999 because of trampoline injury
- 93% of trampoline injuries in Queensland occurred at home
- More than half of the injuries were to 5-9 year old children
- 40% of the injuries were fractures (most to the arm)
- It is estimated that there are 15 injuries for every 1000 trampolines in South Brisbane region each year
- Australian Standard AS 4989:2003 contains information on safe use and skills for trampoline owners
(QISU 1998-99 0-14 Injury statistics and Injury Bulletin, No. 58, Mar 2000)
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This information is provided in more detail in the
Playground
Safety Resource Kit available from Kidsafe House.
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