“He fell off the bike and now he is crying.”Tim, 4 years

Children’s Health and Safety

Inadequate soft fall surface

Inappropriatedesign

Entrapment

Protrusion and sharp

objects

Uneven

surfaces

Poor maintenance

Poor or inadequate supervisio

n

Risk factors that contribute to playground safety

The Physical Environment Factor

• Inadequate fencing• Climbing equipment that does not meet

safety standards• Trip hazards such as poorly constructed

pathways or poorly set out play areas• Lack of appropriate soft-fall• Lack of safety devices such as child-

resistant locks on gates and cupboards• Inappropriately fitted child restraints on

highchairs

“Ride the bikes on the path”Emma, 5 years 5 months

Safety Considerations:– The layout and use of spaces– Placement of furniture and

furnishings– Physical space provided– The age and number of children– Should allow for maximum

supervision of children at all times

Safe Indoor Play Spaces

Safety considerations:– Layout; i.e soft fall– Fixed equipment

• Entrapment• Protrusion and sharp

objects– Loose parts

• Uneven surfaces– Maintenance

Safe Outdoor Play Spaces

The Age Factor Children will often do the unexpected • They can act impulsively without thought or fear to the

safety of themselves and others• They may use equipment in ways that are dangerous • They can quickly scale fences/barriers• They have limited understanding of the capabilities of

others • They may rearrange equipment making it unsafe

The Age Factor Birth–12 months• Rolls, wriggles, grasps moves, puts

objects in mouth

Hazards• Burns, falls, choking, sharp objects,

bath, small objects, poisoning, falls

The Age Factor1–2 years• Investigates, climbs, opens doors,

takes things apart, puts things in mouth

Hazards• Gates, windows, doors, water,

poisons, burns, falls

The Age Factor 2–3 years• Moves about, tries to do things

alone, climbs, imitates and explores, runs, impatient, likes playing in water, can be fearless

Hazards• Water, traffic, toys that pull apart,

burns, household poisons, rough play, outdoor play equipment

The Age Factor 3–6 years• Explores, climbs, rides bike, likes

rough play, plays out of sight of adults, imitates actions of adults, fascinated by fire, likes to play in water

Hazards• Tools and equipment, poisons and

burns, falls from climbing, drowning, traffic

The Age Factor6–12 years• Plays away from home, participates in team

sports, subject to dares and peer-group pressure, rides bike on road, engaged in greater risk-taking behaviour

Hazards• Traffic, drowning, risk-taking behaviour

The Behaviour Factor • Inability of the child to understand and anticipate cause

and effect• Lack of fear• Ability to concentrate and stay ‘on task’/easily distracted• Emotional status such as anger, fear or shyness • The degree of stress the child is experiencing• The young child’s tendency to imitate others.

The Gender FactorThe rate of accidental injuries is far higher in boys than in girls.

Causes: • the type of play that boys and girls typically engage in -

boys are generally more active, and take more risks in their play.

• Boys also tend to play games that involve greater physical contact and more active ‘rough’ play than girls.

The Adult Factor• Lack of adequate supervision or close attention

• Lack of knowledge or understanding of child development and risks factors at each developmental stage

• Lack of communication – this may include failure to give clear, adequate or developmentally appropriate instructions to children

The Adult Factor• Failure to take adequate safety precautions on behalf of

the child

• The emotional or stress level of the adult may result in loss of concentration, poor judgement or lack of vigilance

• A distracted carer, particularly during arrival and departure times when carers are talking to parents.