PLAY GROUNDS Each year about 20,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for playground equipment-related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Make sure protective surfacing such as double-shredded bark mulch, wood or rubber chips, fine sand or fine gravel is 6 -12" deep under and around all playground equipment. Make sure all equipment is carefully maintained and checked for loose hardware, projections, splinters, rust and chipped paint, moving parts that may crush or pinch, scattered debris and tree roots. Supervise and teach your child safe play. (Close this window to return to the website)