Before letting a child play at a playground, you should check it
out yourself to make sure it's safe. Even if you determine that
it is, if there are several children using it, there's always
the possibility of injury. The most common playground injury is
from a fall, so make sure the surface is relatively soft,
especially around equipment. Mulch, shredded bark, and wood
chips are preferable to grass and earth, which can be hard, and
of course to concrete or asphalt. The area should be clear of
broken glass, bottles, cans, and other debris (duh-BREE). The
equipment itself should be firmly anchored into the ground, and
screws and bolts shouldn't be loose or exposed. In particular,
slides should be shaded, especially if they're metal, and be
rust-free. Monkey bars should be used only by children older
than five, and the surface underneath should be soft to cushion
falls. Seesaws should be used by children of approximately the
same age or weight, with something placed under the seat, such
as a rubber tire, to cus