Playground slides are found in parks, schools, playgrounds and backyards. The slide may be flat, or half cylindrical or tubular to prevent falls. Slides are usually constructed of plastic or metal and they have a smooth surface that is either straight or wavy. The user, typically a child, climbs to the top of the slide via a ladder or stairs and sits down on the top of the slide and “slides” down the slide. In Australia the playground slide is known as a slippery slide or slippery dip.
Kids enjoy the time of playing with others sliding the playground slides. However, crowded, crashed, falling dawn, bruise etc are always the potential hazard for children, so parents should focus on the safety of the kids when they are playing. The following are some tips for parent to pay attention to:
• Follow the instructions that are labeled on every playground equipment;
• Do not push or harass other children while using outdoor playground equipment;
• Wear sneakers while playing to prevent from slipping (depending on the playground equipment, a child may be required to take his or her shoes off);
• Be patient when waiting for a turn on any particular piece of playground equipment.
• Protective surface – bad falls are the most frequent kind of accident that happens on playgrounds. To prevent or minimize the damage, every outdoor playground equipment or play structure must be floored with 12 inches of resilient and protective surfacing materials such as rubber and sponge-like materials. This protective surfacing provides a cushion for any fall from a play structure like a swing, seesaw, or monkey bars.
• Guard rails – the absence of these protective railings on small bridges, walkways, platforms, and ramps can lead to accidental falls. Guard rails and other protective barriers must also be attached to play structures that are elevated from the ground.
• Cameras – parents and guardians cannot always keep watch over their children, so a camera in a playground is a useful and sound addition for safety and security purposes.
A playground’s design should cater to the spacing requirement of its child playground equipment. In most cases, a playground is separated into two areas; one area for the 0-5 year olds (preschool children) and 5-12 year olds (school-age children). A safe playground must have its outdoor playground equipment and other play structures labeled with the age bracket of children that they have been designed for.