Maintenance routines should be determined for each specific playground. Public agencies should establish maintenance plans based on manufacturer’s recommendations and CPSC guidelines.
What routine maintenance should be taking place?
• Equipment should be free of deterioration
• Wood equipment should be free of splinters
• Metal equipment should be free of rust
• Plastic equipment should be free of cracks
• S-hooks should be closed
• No openings from 3.5”-9” where children’s head or body trappings could occur
• No open areas at the top of slides where strings could get caught and cause strangulation
• No more than two swings in a support structure
• Proper drainage in the playground area should be present.
NPPS has assessment tools for child care centers and school environments. NPPS also has a video, Nuts and Bolts of Playground Maintenance, to provide an overview of the importance of proper maintenance.