Playgrounds are a wonderful place for children to exercise, socialize and enjoy themselves. In spite of their many benefits, it is essential that playgrounds be safe for children to use. As such, the International Playground Safety Institute offers a course known as the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) course, which provides attendees with crucial knowledge and skills needed for playground safety.
For those involved in sports such as coaches and athletic directors, playground safety may not be top-of-mind, however, it should definitely be taken into consideration. Many athletes and kids engage in unstructured play on playgrounds and sports fields, leading to potential injuries not related to the sport being played. Therefore, it’s important for anyone in charge or overseeing these facilities to have an understanding of playground safety factors, and hence sport leaders can greatly benefit from attending the CPSI certification course.
The CPSI course covers a variety of topics ranging from injury statistics, to surfacing materials, equipment requirements, playground hazards, proper maintenance techniques, and providing disability accessibility, among others. By obtaining this certification, sports personnel would be better informed about how to maintain a safe environment for kids participating in outdoor activities, both on and off the field.
Additionally, by having someone certified in playground safety within a sports organization, it demonstrates a commitment to safety for participants and their families. It will also serve as a way to increase public relations - parents and community members would be comforted knowing that their child’s safety is being prioritized.
It is important to emphasize that only CPSI certified individuals are permitted to conduct official playground safety audits. While one might think that playground safety is relatively intuitive, there exist a staggering amount of details and factors that may pose serious risks if overlooked. For example, certain playground equipment must adhere to specific guidelines: how wide the platform should be, the number of swings relative to the space, whether the monkey bars provide enough clearance for feet safely, the type of climbing equipment installed, among other considerations. By having a CPSI on board, a sports organization can identify potential risks and hazards before they become accidents.
As it may be expected, playground safety is not a luxury, but an essential component for anyone involved in administering sports programs. The CPSI course provides the knowledge, understanding, and resources to ensure that those providing these environments are more than ready to provide the safest experience possible for children on the sporting fields as well as playgrounds. In fact, this certification could make all the difference. It sets one apart from the rest.