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It is mid-winter and the playground catalogs start arriving as they do every year. As you review them, you start thinking . . . "Everything is so expensive, and there's almost nothing for my littlest ones. I know playground safety is important; if I buy new equipment, will my playground be safe? Is the equipment really appropriate to the needs of my children? What's the best use of my money?" This article will attempt to help you resolve these and other playground safety and design questions.


Safety Audit

Before you do anything else, do a safety audit of your playground. For a thorough, professional audit, contact the National Playground Safety Institute (see "Resources") for the name of a certified playground safety inspector in your area. There will be a fee for this service, generally between $250 and $500.

A safety audit is an essential first step since playground hazards come in many forms and ...