Many families with small children opt to install a playground structure in their yard.  These private playgrounds can provide hours of imaginative, active fun for your children.  However, there are safety precautions that should be taken to ensure worry-free fun for parents and children alike.

First, you must select the best area to place your structure. Look for an area with:

• Level ground.
• Good drainage.
• Enough space for the equipment.
• Enough safe space surrounding the equipment.
• Visibility from the house, if you wish to provide supervision from indoors.

It is strongly recommended that along with your play structure you install a safe surface surrounding it, usually extended 6 feet in all directions.  Rubber padding, sand, or mulch all work to help soften the blow if your child falls off the equipment.  Safe surface is much softer than regular hard ground and grass.

When selecting your structure, consider the following questions:

• What are its dimensions?
• How many children can it safely accommodate?
• Can the swings accommodate an adult like me?
• Is it age appropriate for my children?
• Can it grow with my children?
• How much area around it is required for safe surface?  Is there enough space?

Allow your children to be involved in the selection process.  There is an amazing variety of play structures and accessories out there, with everything from tree houses to slides to climbing walls.  Find out what sort of activities interest them the most.

Once your play structure is installed, be sure that your children are always under appropriate supervision.  Younger children require a constant watchful eye.  Older children may be able to play safely by themselves, as long as they are within earshot of an adult.  But you may even find yourself wanting to play, too!

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