Five Tips to Cut Down on Playground Injuries in Your HOA
Does your community association manage a playground? You may be wondering what you can do to make sure you and your family are safe and compliant.
Playgrounds are a great gathering place in the community—but unfortunately, they can spell danger for HOAs if they aren’t properly inspected and maintained.
According to the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University, nearly a quarter of a million children visit the emergency room every year because of playground injuries. Ensuring playgrounds meet safety standards should a top priority for community associations.
HOAResources.com asked Kelly G. Richardson, co-founder and managing partner of Richardson Ober in Pasadena, Calif., a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL), and a CAI past president, for his advice for board members in structuring safe practices for playgrounds.
According to Richardson, board members should:
Have a periodic maintenance schedule for all equipment. “A reasonable maintenance schedule isn’t a guarantee that nothing will break or that nobody will be injured. However, it may make the difference between a negligent injury caused by the association, as opposed to merely an unfortunate occurrence,” he said.
Implement a risk management plan for playground equipment, looking for signs of future issues: How sturdy is the equipment? Is the material something that will degrade or splinter, requiring surface maintenance? Are the connections tight, or do they periodically need adjusting?
Hire a qualified expert who can “turn a critical eye toward the play equipment” and offer safety advice, Richardson said.
Don’t hesitate if you see a problem. “If the association has information indicating a potentially unsafe situation, the association should move with a deliberate and appropriate pace to rectify the hazard,” Richardson says. “If the equipment is unsafe for any reason, it should be closed off with tape, and post a sign that states ‘closed for repairs.’
Invest in a solid insurance plan. “In the past, $1 million was considered enough coverage, but today, that’s simply not enough protection,” Richardson said.
Finally, board members should consult the National Program for Playground Safety’s Playground Safety Checklist (below) to ensure rules and equipment are contributing to a safe environment:
Playground Safety Checklist
Follow these ten playground safety tips to mitigate issues in your HOA:
Adults supervise children
Children play on age-appropriate equipment
Soft fall surfacing material surrounding equipment
Equipment is safe
No strings or ropes present
Equipment is not too hot
No bicycle helmets worn on equipment
Children wear appropriate clothing
Protect children from the sun
Protect children from extreme temperatures
Contact Us
Condominium Associates is here to help you establish hard and fast rules to keep you and your family safe—and having fun—all summer long! Contact us today!
