A playground hazard is anything in a playspace that has the potential to cause serious injuries. Hazards differ from challenges and risks – children need opportunities to experience risk and challenge in playgrounds.

Common playground hazards include:

• Hard surfaces under equipment
• Inadequate fall zones and playground surfacing
• Lack of maintenance, broken or faulty equipment
• Inadequate supervision
• Potential entrapment hazards
• Pinch points and sharp edges
• Protrusions and tangling hazards
• High platforms without barriers
• Inappropriate use or play
• Trip hazards
• Overcrowded play areas, and;
• Contamination with dangerous items such as broken glass and syringes

Careful planning, design and maintenance can assist in avoiding these hazards and preventing or reducing the severity of playground injuries.