Kidsafe Queensland

• Shade
• Home Play Equipment - Hazards to look out for
• Head Entrapment
• Swings
• Paddling Pools and Swimming Pools - Facts about water safety
• Sandpits
• Trampolines
• Cubby Houses

SHADE

• Locate play equipment in an area that is densely shaded when children are most likely to play
• Shade should provide a dark shadow. Use the shadow cast by your house, a structure or vegetation. Be aware of reflective surfaces
• Be a good role model and always dress yourself and children in broad brim hats, protective clothing, apply (and reapply) sunscreen regularly (No Hat No Play)
• Keep children out of the sun between 10am and 3pm when UV rays are strongest

HOME PLAY EQUIPMENT

There are no laws covering the equipment children can play on in their own back yard. There are Australian Standards for domestic equipment, but few manufacturers cater to the domestic market. Family Day Care providers should check with their licensed local scheme for specific requirements. Soft surfacing is necessary under all play equipment; however, a rule of thumb for the back yard is to ask yourself if you would be comfortable dropping to your knees from a standing position on that surface? If you have home built equipment in your yard, do check it and keep in mind the following points.

HOME PLAY EQUIPMENT HAZARDS TO LOOK OUT FOR TOO LOOSE Home play equipment should be strong, sturdy, and securely anchored TOO HIGH Play equipment standing surfaces (usually a platform) should be no higher than 1m for children under 3 years and no higher than 1.5m for children over 3 years of age TOO CLOSE Under and around equipment, there should be a large clear space that has no hard objects onto which children might fall TOO HARD Surfaces under equipment should be soft enough to cushion falls Most public equipment has soft material (such as bark or sand) at least 250mm deep These surfaces should be turned over regularly to keep loose and free from animal fouling. Well maintained grass is only suitable under equipment less than 500mm high TOO TIGHT Check for spaces that could trap a child's head or neck, particularly if they were to slip through feet first and not be able to support their weight (openings larger than 89mm and smaller than 230mm) TOO SHARP Watch for sharp edges that could cut; also splinters and protruding parts that could pierce skin, or tangle children's clothing HEAD ENTRAPMENT To test for head entrapment in play equipment,  identify all accessible spaces 600mm above ground level or an equivalent support surface.  To prevent head entrapment, ensure any enclosed spaces are smaller than 89mm and larger than 230mm.  Any space between 89mm and 230mm is an entrapment area ALWAYS Secure ropes top and bottom so they cannot form a noose Remove drawstrings from children's clothing Supervise young children on and around play equipment Inspect your equipment regularly

SWINGS

Swings should be well anchored with a soft surface underneath, and a large clear space all around them. Install swing sets away from fences, sandpits and walkways (where other children will not run into a swinging child). Seats should be made of a soft flexible plastic, and there should be plenty of clearance between two swings, or the swing and the structure. Chain links can crush little fingers and should be covered with plastic tubing. Be aware that all glide swings, and boat swings can cause crush injuries and head injuries.

PADDLING POOLS AND SWIMMING POOLS

Any above ground or in ground swimming pool must be fenced with an Australian Standard isolation fence, with a self-closing latch on the gate. Always supervise children anywhere near water, because children can drown in a very small amount of water. Large inflatable paddling pools are a popular, low-cost, back yard alternative to a full sized swimming pool, however, they can hold a significant amount of water, and therefore present a drowning hazard. Always store your empty pool upright after use so that does not fill with rainwater. Some portable pools may require fencing, always check with your local council.

If left unemptied paddling pools are a potential drowning hazard

• Always empty water from wading pools, buckets and containers after use and store upright
• Untreated water that is left for long periods can be a health hazard

IF YOU OWN ANY SORT OF POOL CALL YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO SAFETY FENCING

Your portable pool will require a fence if:

• It has a filtration system
• It contains more than 2000 litres (that's about 2m x 2m x 0.5m high)
• It can be filled to more than 450mm deep

(Building Act 1975)

FACTS ABOUT WATER SAFETY

• Drowning is the major killer of children under 5 years
• Approximately 70 children under the age of 14 years drown in Australia each year
• Children can drown quickly and silently in only 5cm of water
• Never leave young children alone around water
• Ensure Australian Standard isolation fencing with maintained self-latching and self-closing gates is used around inground pools
• Never prop the gate open
• Install rigid covers over spas, and grilles in fish ponds
• Teach children water safety and water awareness
• Maintain current First Aid and resuscitation skills

SANDPITS

Make your sandpit as large as possible, in a location with adequate shade. A flat edge provides a building platform, and will allow you to sweep sand back into the pit. Some large flat boulders are also useful for building and will double as seating. Water is an essential ingredient in sand play, so ensure that your sandpit has access to water, and that it drains well. Cover it after use to keep animals and debris out; a piece of shade cloth fixed to two pieces of PVC pipe (or heavy chain) makes an ideal cover.

Fine white beach sand is popular, however, it does stick to clothes and becomes slippery when it is easily tracked inside. Washed "pit sand" is a suitable alternative. Sands that contain clay (brickies' loams) can stain clothes and dry hard after water play.

TRAMPOLINES

Think of trampolines as sports equipment, not play equipment, and reassess your need.  Trampolines require active supervision, and parents need to ensure they can meet certain safety measures to reduce the risk of injury.

When buying and installing:

• Do read all safety, installation and maintenance information supplied with your trampoline
• Use safety pads and fit them securely over the springs and frame (only buy those that comply wiht AS 4989-2006)
• Buy a trampoline that has a safety net installed around the sides to help prevent injury from falls
• Locate your trampoline over a soft surface (use pine bark or sand 250mm deep)
• At least 2.5m clear area around all four sides (no fences or hard objects) and 8m (from ground level) clearance above the trampoline
• Do not provide access by linking ladders or plants
• Regularly check the mat for tears and holes; that the springs are securely attached; leg braces are locked and the frame is not bent

When using the trampoline:

• Keep toddlers away when in use - they may go underneath
• Do not wear shoes, jewellery or buckles
• Children under 6 years require constant supervision
• Older children need strict guidelines on proper use
• Allow only one child at a time
• Teach your child to jump in the middle of the mat and not to jump off
• Only professionals should teach high-risk skills (like somersaults) at gym
• Always supervise

TRAMPOLINE FACTS

• An estimated 1468 Queensland children attended hospital in 1999 because of trampoline injury
• 93% of trampoline injuries in Queensland occurred at home
• More than half of the injuries were to 5-9 year old children
• 40% of the injuries were fractures (most to the arm)
• It is estimated that there are 15 injuries for every 1000 trampolines in South Brisbane region each year
• Australian Standard AS 4989:2003 contains information on safe use and skills for trampoline owners

(QISU 1998-99 0-14 Injury statistics and Injury Bulletin, No. 58, Mar 2000)

CUBBY HOUSES

When purchasing and or installing a cubby house:

• Ensure it is an appropriate size for young children including handrails (large timber logs do not allow a child a firm hand grip)
• Ensure fall height is no greater than 1000mm for 0-3yrs and 1500mm for children over 3 years.  The design of the cubby should not allow children to climb onto the roof or onto surrounding structures
• All barriers on the cubby structure shold be vertical not horizontal with a recommended guard rail height of 900mm.  The space between vertical timber rails should be 75mm. This gap shold be less than 89mm for metal or plastic rails
• Ensure there are no sharp edges, splinters or entrapment areas on or within the unit
• A cubby at ground level reduces the risk of falls and provides easy access for different age groups of children 

This information is provided in more detail in the Playspace Resource Kit available from Kidsafe QLD.