2019 IN REVIEW

Kidsafe NSW thanks its supporters, and clients for a successful 2019. Particular thanks to:
• NSW Ministry of Health
• NSW Education - Early Childhood Education Directorate
• NSW Education – School Infrastructure

It's been a busy year! The Kidsafe Playground Advisory Unit (PAU):

• visited 6 regions across NSW
• presented at conferences and seminars
• conducted around 200 inspections
• facilitated 6 nationally recognised playground inspection courses, and
• assisted over 700 callers with playground enquiries!

Watch this space for the official launch of the following :

• 2020 Kidsafe National Playspace Design Awards
• Comprehensive Playground Inspection training (nationally recognised)
• Drop testing service on playground surfacing
• Plus more!

On behalf of Kidsafe NSW, I wish you all a happy holiday season and a great New Year’s celebration. Stay safe!

Kay Lockhart, Training and Education Manager, PAU.

However, it is not possible to ‘certify’ that a playground ‘complies’ with an Australian Standard. There is in fact no Australian Standard for playgrounds – only equipment (AS4685) and surfacing (AS4422). When purchasing a service to determine if a playground meets the Standards or to qualify for a ‘certificate’ it is important to obtain a clear understanding of what exactly is being assessed for compliance or conformance. 

Kidsafe NSW offers a comprehensive post installation inspection intended to verify conformance with the Australian Standards and to check the overall safety of the equipment, foundations and playground surfaces. The inspection report also documents measurement of impact areas and falling spaces; testing for entrapments; checking structural integrity; installation; finish of equipment and the materials used.

It is recommended that this inspection be conducted prior to handover from the designer/developer/installer to the playground owner. The Kidsafe NSW inspection report is also a useful document which can form part of the organisation’s Playground Safety Management System.

For further information, visit the website at: kidsafensw.org or to book an inspection call the Playground Advisory Unit on 02 9845 0893.

While there were large differences among surface types, those made from rubber  or synthetic grass displayed the hottest, while sand and natural grass displayed the coolest surface temperatures. Also, large surface temperature reductions were achieved by the provision of shade, clearly demonstrating the positive effect of shade on playground safety (Images 1-4).

Images 1-4: Playgrounds in Parramatta, Sydney. Images 1 and 3 show the normal view of the playground, 2 and 4 the infrared view. A temperature scale is shown at the right side of the images. (1) Unshaded swings with green and black rubber surface underneath. (2) The unshaded rubber surface is on average 66°C. A slightly higher temperature is shown for the black rubber right underneath the swings. (3) Swings under tree shade with a black rubber surface, which (4) only heated up to around 35°C. All images were taken around 13:00 on 8 April 2019, demonstrating the positive effect of tree shade on surface temperatures – here a reduction of more than 30°C. Image © S. Pfautsch

Coloured, synthetic surfaces are popular playground surfaces. They may get hot but provide benefits like impact attenuation, low maintenance, fun designs and opportunities for learning while playing. For these reasons, the researchers also looked at the potential to reduce surface temperatures of synthetic surfaces by changing their colour. The results speak for themselves (Images 5 and 6): a lighter yellow surface can be more than 10°C cooler compared to a darker brown colour. These results clearly offer opportunities for heat-smart design in play spaces and will be assessed more systematically as the research progresses.

Images 5-6: Colour-coated concrete. Image 5 shows the normal view, image 6 the infrared view that reveals how much hotter darker coloured surfaces can be. The image was taken at 14:40 on 17 January 2019 at a playground in Kings Langley, Sydney. Image © S. Pfautsch

Kidsafe NSW has teamed up with Western Sydney University to roll out a state-wide assessment of play spaces. Data from several hundred sites will be collected to investigate not only the thermal performance, but also the presence or absence of shade infrastructure and how socio-economic indicators of adjacent neighbourhoods influence playground design. Results of this collaborative project will be communicated in 2020 and 2021.

For more information visit:

https://theconversation.com/materials-that-make-heat-worse-for-our-kids-demand-a-rethink-by-designers-93274

The Kidsafe NSW Information Sheet ‘Preventing Heat Related Illness in Children,’ explains the importance of keeping children out of the heat, reducing activity and making sure they drink!  

NSW Health has provided some tips on how to avoid heat related illnesses and what assistance you can offer if you do come across someone who is suffering from the extreme heat.

Protecting children from burns in the playground.

Australia has a hot climate and inevitably playground equipment and surfacing can heat up rapidly and retain heat. This can cause serious burns to skin upon contact. Young children are particularly at risk because they may be slower to pull away from hot surfaces.

A child is at risk of a burn when a surface exceeds 50ºC and when the skin is heated to 45ºC for a prolonged period. At surface temperatures greater than 50ºC, tender young skin can be burned severely within seconds and may require surgery. Many playground surfaces and equipment (including plastic parts) can exceed these temperatures when there is a low humidity, bright, sunny day in the high twenties.

Follow these recommendations to help prevent playground burns on sunny days:

Equipment surfaces: Metal slides, poles, guardrails, barriers and other playground equipment are most likely to pose burn risks if the equipment is exposed to direct sunlight. Place your hand above metal and other surfaces to check for burn risks.  Be careful that you don't get burnt or scalded!. Alternatively, use a thermometer to measure the temperature. Keep rechecking temperatures as the day progresses. Parents, carers and educators need to assess the environment daily to determine whether the playground is suitable for use.

Playground Surfacing: Rubber and synthetic grass playground surfacing have been known to cause burn injuries to the soles of children's feet on scorching hot days. Dark coloured rubber surfacing retains heat.  Research has found that on low humidity, hot sunny days, dark coloured surfaces can exceed 60ºC. Check the playground surface.. It is recommended that children wear shoes at all times.. Wetting the area with water may assist in cooling the surface temperature (check water restrictions in your area).

Include shade: Add shade elements, and use  products that reflect heat. If an area feels uncomfortably hot or glary it is best to keep children away until it cools down. Trees provide the best shade, filtering sunlight and lowering summer temperature by an average of 8°-10° C. Conducting a shade audit will assist in determining the ideal positioning for shade structures and planting of trees in the playspace.

Time for Play: Avoid outdoor play during hottest part of the day and in extreme temperatures.  

Further reading:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat/pages/default.aspx

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-19/hottest-day-heatwave-how-to-avoid-heat-stress-and-dehydration/11811910?WT.ac=localnews_sydney

https://www.abc.net.au/news/emergency/plan-for-an-emergency/heatwave/

Physical Benefits

• Hand strength is developed through gripping the bars - useful for fine motor activities such as writing and manipulating small items.

• Arm muscles are strengthened and toned through exercise  

• Core abdominal muscles are strengthened by tucking up legs and swinging the body to build momentum - essential for good posture and protecting the spine

• Overall fitness level is increased through raising the heart rate

• Stress and tension may be  relieved through gentle exercise.

Safety Issues

Monkey bars can pose safety risks to children particularly injury due to falls, for example: .

• Surfacing (particularly loose-fill) below and surrounding the monkey bars might be inadequate. Well maintained surfacing reduces the extent of injury if a child falls.    If mulch is low or depleted, the fall height may be  increased. AS 4685.1 limits the height of upper body equipment (such as monkey bars) to 2.2m above the playground surface in public playgrounds and 1.8m above the playground surface in education and care centres.

• Slips and falls caused by rungs rotating when in use. Rungs should be fixed and not able to rotate.

• Impact with platform or access step due to momentum when entering or exiting the monkey bars. This may cause various injuries such as fractures, abrasions and bruising.

• Children challenging their limitations may use monkey bars outside the intended purpose such as sitting or standing on top, hanging upside-down, or playing games  aimed at knocking other kids off the equipment

• Inadequate adult supervision particularly when children are first starting out on monkey bars.

Safety Tips

• Install monkey bars at the height, referred to above, according to AS 4685.1
• Use loose-fill surfacing such as mulch or sand. Ensure adequate depth (minimum 200mm) is maintained
• Limit the use of monkey bars to older children who have sufficient upper body strength
• Limit number of children traversing across monkey bars at a time.
• Set rules of play such as:
  • No hanging upside down
  • No sitting or standing on top
  • One person at a time
• Ensure active adult supervision
• Conduct regular safety inspections

Creating a natural environment for play

• Prepare an inventory and survey the site to achieve the maximum potential from the existing landscape
• Ensure that both the area and selected play equipment are sustainable and can be maintained
• Incorporate existing natural features such as slopes and mounds into the overall design
• Introduce tactile elements such as boulders, small logs, sensory plants, sand or water for children to experiment with
• Ensure accessibility for all children
• Design as many opportunities as possible for children to experience risk and challenge while keeping safety in mind

What do children want in a natural playspace? Ask them!

Involve children with the design of playspaces. You can start with a brainstorming activity to develop a wish list. You could use lots of photos and draw pictures to obtain a visual representation of the desired playspace.

Further suggestions:

Water—Children enjoy playing with water.  Including a water feature  in a playspace is achievable no matter how small the budget.

Water tanks- give children easy access to a water supply whilst teaching them about water conservation and the water cycle.

Water fountains - add the soothing sound of water and aesthetic beauty to a playspace. Used with a solar pump they are also a terrific way to explore solar energy.

Creek beds–add a variety of activities for the children to explore!

Plants—Children enjoy and learn about plants as they climb, hide, build, pick, observe, collect, sort, tend, plant, water, prune, and arrange the things that grow in a garden. Select plants that attract animals, birds and insects and offer natural colour, diversity and seasonal change.

Hiding Spots and Sneaky Places—children love to have nooks, crannies, cubbies and places to be quiet and relax in their playspace.

Rocks, Boulders, Logs and Stumps—Children love to play on and around rocks, boulders, fallen logs and tree stumps. A simple arrangement of rocks and logs has high play value and can be less expensive than fixed equipment. Creative placement can provide children and adults with easy or  challenging routes!!. 

• Rocks and Boulders cleverly arranged are safe. Through play, children develop a healthy respect for rocks and boulders. They develop a sense of care, concern, and safety when they climb on them.
• Logs are an interesting design feature with enormous play value and are great for children to balance on or to move around. Logs can be used as balance beams, climbing frames, sculptures and more!

• Stumps are very versatile items within a playspace. Stumps can be used for seating and incorporated into the sandpit. Stumps used as stepping stones add challenge, interest and imagination to a playspace.

Sand—Children are intrigued by sand play. They dig, sift, build, pour, and feel it.  They pretend with it, and explore how it moves. Try the following:

• Position the sandpit near a tap or water tank for easy access to water
• Surround the sandpit with decking, flat boulders or stumps to provide a place for construction
• Define sections of the sandpit using natural materials such as boulders or logs