Safety First

Schools must provide a safe space for children to play. Discuss with student leaders appropriate places to play tag and chase games, ball games, skipping, basketball, hopscotch, etc. Discuss the potential problems if students play a game in an inappropriate place (i.e. soccer in the skipping area, tag by the swings and slides, frisbee in a high traffic area). Signage to divert traffic at certain times may need to be arranged. Know where the first aid kit is located.

Have the students create posters witha few basic playground rules that could be placed around the school. Rules that should be considered are:

  • On play structures, avoid loose clothing and hoodies or hats with strings.
  • On slides, slide feet first, sitting up.
  • Sit on swings.
  • Stay away from moving swings and bottom of slides.
  • Use the steps to get to the top.
  • Use the playground equipment as it was intended.
  • Play safely without pushing or tripping.
  • Watch for unsafe situations such as moving vehicles.
  • See a teacher to get help retrieving balls on rooftops or under parked cars.

Here are some tips to keep your playground safe:

  1. Ensure the playground area is adequately supervised with teachers who are highly visible. Student playground leaders should never replace the supervision normally provided by teachers.
  2. Any problems on the playground should be reported to teachers or school administration.
  3. If an injury occurs, one person should stay with the injured student. Another person should go to find the teacher on duty or go to the office. If the injured person cannot move an extremity, or if it hurts too much, keep it as still as possible. Stay calm!
  4. Shoelaces should always be tied up.
  5. Monitor the playground for glass, garbage, ice, and any defects to playground equipment that could cause injury. When a danger exists (i.e. sharp or icy surfaces), administration can either cancel the active recess for that day or place a large pylon near the dangerous spot to warn children to stay away.
  6. Make sure everyone understands the rules of the game. As a trial run, students might play the games during physical education classes. Rules for the games could be posted up on classroom windows facing the playground. Gentle reminders about expected behavior and cooperation may be needed on occasion.
  7. Other things to keep in mind include asthma, allergies, bee stings, seizures, and diabetes. (See school policy and procedures for epipens, etc.)