With warmer weather and the upcoming summer season, now is the time to get your entity’s playgrounds, parks, and pools ready for their time in the spotlight.
Here are a few tips for inspecting your playgrounds, parks, and pools.
Playgrounds:
Regular inspections of playground equipment can help members identify damage to equipment – including cracks, worn materials, and broken equipment – and take action to remove structures from service until these issues can be addressed.
VRSA Safety Specialist Edward Shelton holds the Certified Playground Safety Inspector designation from the National Recreation and Parks Association. In addition to providing playground audits for VRSA members, Shelton also provides training and information for members to use when conducting self-inspections.
Top tips include:
- Ensure the playground is accessible
- Inspect the condition of surfacing under play structures
- Inspect elements of the playground for entanglement hazards
- Inspect elements of the playground for entrapment hazards
- Inspect elements of the playground for protrusion hazards
More information on what to look for and Shelton’s top tips are outlined in the video below.
Parks:
Conducting frequent field checks and safety inspections of recreation facilities and grounds is important in maintaining the safety and security of your park areas.
Top tips include:
- Ensure walkways are free of debris and that the ground level is flush with walking surfaces.
- Check the status of fencing to inspect for openings and protrusions.
- Ensure that picnic tables are in good condition, without splinters or broken hardware.
- Inspect areas for bee or wasp nests, or other issues.
Pools:
Preparing your facilities for the summer season starts with ensuring you have the proper lifeguard recruiting and training processes in place.
Additionally, ensure the following items are compliant with state and local codes.
- Personnel, safety, and equipment: This includes the proper ratio of lifeguards and that guards have the proper equipment to do their job.
- Signs, placards, and data
- Regular water quality testing
- Filtration systems
- Bathhouses, toilets, etc.
- Pool and premises, including gates, fencing, surfacing, drainage, and more.
For more information on getting your parks, playgrounds, and pools ready for summer, contact your safety consultant at: 800-963-6800.