Flooding, Standing Water and Damaged Playgrounds: Tips to Keep Children Safe

This has been a spring of heavy rain storms and flooding in various states across the nation, especially in the Midwest.  As a result, a number of playgrounds in parks, schools and childcare centers have inches to feet of water under and around the play equipment.  The question is, “What should be done after the water has receded in order to make the playground safe for children?”

As with any play area that is flooded, the first thing is to keep the children away from the water so that they do not get wet or drown.  It may be necessary to use snow fences or other types of barrier to prevent children from getting into the water.  In addition, it would be helpful to use temporary signage to inform the public of the danger of contaminated surfacing and equipment.  It will take time for the water to disappear and for the ground to dry out.  This drying process may take a few days or weeks, depending on the quantity of water that is involved.   Whether a short or long time, it is important to not let the children play on the damp ground or get on the equipment while it is wet.  The reason is that the standing water may be contaminated with animal/human feces or various types of other sewage.   In turn, this sewage may contain e-coli, bacteria, or viruses that can cause mild or serious gastrointestinal or diarrheal disease, depending on the microbes that might be present.  Also, there may be toxic chemicals in the water or the materials or ground.

If the playground surfacing is comprised of loose fill materials such as wood, rubber chips, sand, or pea gravel, it will be important to be sure that the surfacing is removed.
Mold and bacteria can easily develop within organic (wood products) loose fill surfacing.    You should check with the local landfill authority to consider disposal options.  Solid surfacing such as poured in place or rubber tiles need to be power-washed to remove possible contaminates.   If the unitary surface or tiles have become loose during a flood, it may be necessary to replace the playground area with new surfacing.    

All the equipment and ground should be sprayed with a 1:100 dilution of chlorine bleach and be allowed to dry with a water rinse in 24 hours.  The chlorine bleach wash is important as Hepatitis A has been found viable on surfaces and refrigerated fruit and vegetables for up to 4-9 days (surprisingly long) without a bleach wash.  Placing new mulch in the disinfected playground area should return it to safe functionality.

Playgrounds are supposed to be safe for children.  While adults are busy disposing of water damaged furniture and other items in houses, it is important that the officials who are responsible for playgrounds make sure that they are safe for the children to use them.  Assure the public that the playground is safe when cleaning procedures have been completed.  If you have other questions about the safety of the surfacing or equipment, check with your local health department.

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Thanks is given to Catherine Zeman, Ph,D., Associate Professor in HPELS, at UNI for her technical assistance.