Kids play hard and that means they're going to occasionally skin an elbow or bruise a shin. Make safety a top priority to eliminate the risk of more serious mishaps. The National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS) tracks a variety of statistics related to playground injuries, including:

• More than 200,000 preschool and elementary children receive emergency department care for playground-related injuries every year.

• Nearly 70% of all injuries occur on public playgrounds.

• Children four-and-under receive injuries playing on swings more often than any other common play event, while children ages 5-14 are more likely to get hurt using climbing equipment.

• Falls to the surface were a contributing factor in 70% of all injuries.

• Station supervisors adjacent to the part of the structure and anything that moves such as Track Rides and swings.

• All children, regardless of age, require adult supervision. Kids will always find new and inventive – but not necessarily safe – ways to play on or around playground equipment.

• Supervising adults should be able to identify potential hazards, intercede to facilitate play when necessary and be available in case an injury occurs.

• The Site Planner: the individual or organization that solicits feedback from all stakeholders involved in the installation of a playground, considers all factors affecting the comfort, aesthetics, accessibility and usability of the site, and selects age-appropriate equipment and protective surfacing.

• The Manufacturer: a properly insured, respected company that follows the established safety and accessibility standards for manufacturing equipment, provides clear and concise installation instructions and offers a step-by-step maintenance program.

• The Installer: A properly insured professional who installs the equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• The Playground Owner: the individual or organization that sets the budget, purchases equipment appropriate for the age range of kids who will use the playground, trains and assigns playground monitors, conducts regular safety inspections and maintenance, and provides insurance coverage.