SAFETY FIRST IN THE PLAY AREA

Children using playground equipment are most often injured by falls. The most common form of injury include head injuries, fractures and spinal injuries. The higher the drop, the more chance the injury will be severe, particularly if the ground beneath the equipment is a hard surface.

The play area in the backyard for your children should be made as safe as possible, children need things to do, and things to play with, but safe of hazards and things that  could cause harm or injury to children. In a safe area fences need to be well maintained with no gaps, sharp edges or nails sticking out.

An area free of rocks and stones steps and stairs, an area fenced off from or safe from any driveway or pool area. In the backyard play area, check to see if the children have a shaded area from the sun, a large leafy tree, a pergola, a cubby house or a shade cloth over a play pit is a safe place for kids. A garage or garden shed can contain numerous things than can harm children, keep these locked or out of the play area so children can't get in. Check if there are any hazards, can the hazard be removed, if not can the hazard be covered or protected?

You can't always watch your children . . . prevention is your best protection.

HOME PLAY EQUIPMENT

Children's play equipment such as swings, climbing bars, cubby houses, tree houses and trampolines should be well maintained and in good working order, free of any sharp edges or parts a child may get caught in. Play areas should be covered with at least 200mm of 10mm diameter wood chips. Dirt, grass and some sand do not provide proper fall protection. Many playground injuries can be prevented if children learn to play safely with other children, if you can teach your children to follow some basic safety rules, many accidents can be prevented. Take turns and play fair on playground equipment. Play gently - pushing and playing rough can lead to falls. Jackets with drawstrings, jewelry, or scarves can get caught on playground equipment and and cause strangulation.

Safety suggestions for your backyard playground equipment.
	Use soft materials such as wood chips, river sand or mulch under the play equipment, this provides a softer landing in case of falls.
	Instruct your children on how to use the equipment sensibly and safely.
	Ensure the play equipment is appropriate for their age and the childs abilities.
	Always inspect the equipment on a regular basis - look for any signs of damage or wear.
	Guards or handrails should be secured to all raised platforms.
	Rubber surfaces will provide a better grip than wood or metal.
	Children should only use play equipment under competent adult supervision.
	All exposed bolts, nails or hooks should have a protective covering .

TRAMPOLINE SAFETY

Common injuries incurred by children using trampolines can include injuries to internal organs, spinal injuries and fractures. At all times children should be fully supervised by an adult when using a trampoline.
	Inspect the trampoline on a regular basis and keep it in good repair - replace any worn parts as soon as possible.
	No more than one child at a time should use the trampoline.
	To provide greater stability sink the base of the trampoline into the ground.
	Children under six years of age should not use a trampoline.
	Avoid wearing shoes . . . bare feet will provide better grip.
	Always cover the trampoline springs with padded mats.
	Always jump in the centre of the trampoline, not near the sides.
	Always get on and off the trampoline slowly and safely.

SAFE BACKYARD STORAGE

Safe storage of tools, equipment and chemicals in the backyard is important because children don't always realise the danger these things can hold. There are many things in the backyard that need safe storage, things like garden chemicals, pesticides, pool chemicals, pool cleaners, garden tools and inflammable material such as petrol and kerosene.     To keep these hazards safe from children a garden shed, tool shed or garage, should have a good lockable door and inside storage should be as safe and high as possible to keep any chemicals or poisons out of a childs reach.

	Special attention should be paid to pool chemicals, poisons, weed killers, petrol, kerosene any chemicals can cause not only harm but even death in extreme cases, so these should be kept in a shed or garage that has been made lockable.
	Any poisons that are out of date or not needed any more should be disposed of in the correct manner, through your local council, rubbish tip or contact the Poisons Information Centre.
	Store poisons and chemicals in lockable boxes and cupboards out of reach of children.
	When you store poisons and chemicals make shore they are stored in correct containers and labeled properly, somebody else may need to know what is stored in witch container.
	Never store chemicals in food or drink containers, young children are attracted to these containers and may put in their mouth what ever is inside the container.