According to the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS),
a nonprofit organization that funds efforts to reduce playground
injuries, more than 200,000 preschool and elementary aged
children are injured on playgrounds every year to the extent
that they require hospital care. What’s more, while many of us
assume that such dangers lurk only on public playgrounds, the
reality is that private playgrounds – the ones in our own
backyards – also pose a hazard and, consequently, potential
legal liability. In fact, at least 19% of playground injuries
occur on home playground equipment. However, with just a bit
more awareness and increased diligence, we can ensure that our
children get the most out of their playtime and that we aren’t
unwittingly placing ourselves in legal jeopardy. NPPS recommends
using the acronym S.A.F.E. to guide us in our playground safety
mission. Supervise: Children should never be left alone while
playing on playground equipment. Parents who supervise are able
to better assess situations t