Fractures are the most common injury type in playgrounds.
Playgrounds give children a place to socialize, play, explore, and develop. The majority of injuries on playgrounds occur to the extremities (arms and legs), particularly the upper extremities, followed by injuries to the head. Monkey bars are the playground structure that is most associated with injury.
(see Section 04 - Prevention)
Fractures are the most common injury type in playgrounds.
Although brain injury is not a common injury in playgrounds, significant injury can occur from falling from playground equipment.
Fractures are the most common injury type in playgrounds.
Sprains and strains can happen on playgrounds, and they occur most often in association with a fall from playground equipment.
Falls are the most common reason for injury in playgrounds, with fractures being the most common type of injury. Contusion and crushing injuries can happen in playgrounds and occur from falls from playground equipment. The majority of injuries on playgrounds occur among 5 to 9-year-olds. In 2014, there were 542 emergency room visits by 0 to 14-year-olds to BC Children’s Hospital from playground injuries.
It is estimated that...
View Summary of Incidence Rates
Playground equipment without handrails or guardrails, and equipment that is higher than 1.5 metres, can increase the risk of injury from a fall.
The surface that the playground equipment is built on may increase the risk of injury. Surfacing material that is non-impact absorbing, such as bark, concrete, tarmac, or grass, increases the risk of injury and severe injury, as compared to impact-absorbing material, such as rubber. Equipment-based playgrounds with surfacing that does not meet Canadian recommendations also increase the risk of injury.
Risk of injury is higher on playground equipment at home than in public settings.
Evidence suggests that playgrounds that follow Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards and recommendations can reduce the risk of injury by up to 30%. This includes limiting the height for playground equipment (1.5 metres or less) and building equipment on impact-absorbing surfaces. Learn more about CSA standards for playgrounds and play spaces on the CSA website.
While concussions are not common on the playground, it is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource for parents and their children to learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
Sleep, Vigilance and Sport Injury Prevention
Being successful in physical activity requires a high degree of alertness, also known as vigilance. Sufficient sleep helps your body to recover, allows you to achieve your goals, and reduces your risk of injury. Getting less than 8 hours of sleep can increase your rate of injury by up to 70%! Watch this video to learn more about how sleep and vigilance are connected.
Ensure that playground equipment is regularly inspected and maintained. Evidence suggests that playgrounds that follow Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards and recommendations can reduce the risk of injury by up to 30%. This includes limiting the height for playground equipment (1.5 metres or less) and building equipment on impact-absorbing surfaces. Learn more about CSA standards for playgrounds and play spaces on the CSA website.
While concussions are not common on the playground, it is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource for school professionals on how to learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
Playground Safety Training
You can take training courses to learn more about playground safety. Below are examples of training courses offered.
British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association
Canadian Playground Safety Institute
For School Administrators:
Increase the likelihood that your school (including you, your teachers, and facilities management teams) adheres to CSA standards by facilitating regular meetings with your staff.
Create a playground injury prevention plan with a CSA adherence checklist and ensure your administration and staff are informed of its contents. These documents can be used to ensure adherence to the guidelines, as well as help monitor the injuries that may occur at your school on the playground. Playground injury prevention starts with developing a playground injury prevention plan. This plan must make sure that the rules of the outdoor play area are understood by all staff members, and what measures to take in case of an injury.
Playground injury prevention plans should include:
Examples of standards checklists for playgrounds and play spaces:
Ensure that playground equipment is regularly inspected and maintained. Evidence suggests that playgrounds that follow Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards and recommendations can reduce the risk of injury by up to 30%. This includes limiting the height for playground equipment (1.5 metres or less) and building equipment on impact-absorbing surfaces. Learn more about CSA standards for playgrounds and play spaces on the CSA website.
While concussions are not common on the playground, it is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource where you can learn more about how to recognize, prevent, and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to respond to a potential concussion situation, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
Playground Safety Training
You and your staff can take training courses to learn more about playground safety. Below are examples of training courses offered.
Injury Prevention Plan
Increase the likelihood that your school (including you, your teachers, and facilities management teams) adheres to CSA standards by facilitating regular meetings with your staff.
Create a playground injury prevention plan with a CSA adherence checklist and ensure your administration and staff are informed of its contents. These documents can be used to ensure adherence to the guidelines, as well as help monitor the injuries that may occur at your school on the playground. Playground injury prevention starts with developing a playground injury prevention plan. This plan must make sure that the rules of the outdoor play area are understood by all staff members, and what measures to take in case of an injury.
Playground injury prevention plans should include:
Examples of standards checklists for playgrounds and play spaces:
It is important to be aware of concussion signs and symptoms and know what to do if concussion is suspected. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) is an online resource to learn more about how to diagnose and manage a concussion. CATT also includes resources on how to assess a potential concussion, as well as detailed Return to School and Return to Sport protocol.
