Healthy Children Playground Safety for Kids: Injury Prevention and Outdoor Fun – Ep. 56
Sep 18, 2025
Dr. Julie Gilchrist, a pediatrician and expert in injury prevention, dives into essential playground safety tips with host Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez. They discuss common playground injuries, emphasizing the importance of safe design and materials. Learn how to properly use slides and the significance of shock-absorbing surfaces to prevent mishaps. Dr. Gilchrist also highlights the value of choosing age-appropriate equipment and encouraging kids to tackle challenges in play while ensuring their safety.
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Standards Versus Play Value
- Standards exist (CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook) detailing spacing, heights, and surfacing for playgrounds.
- Designers must balance safety with challenge because the safest playground may not engage kids developmentally.
Watch Playground Layout
- Look for good layout with clear separation between active areas (slides, swings) and running paths to prevent collisions.
- Ensure fixed objects like trees or poles are at safe distances from equipment and exit zones.
Safe Slide Technique
- Do have children go down slides by themselves, feet first, sitting up or feet-first lying down for very young kids.
- Avoid going down tandem with a child because shoes can catch the slide edge and break a leg.