Are Playground Surfaces Safer with Rubber Mulch?

Rubber Mulch Playground Surfaces are Safer and Here is Why.

There is more than one surfacing option for playgrounds available when it comes to your playground project. But how much of a difference does surfacing make regarding safety and other considerations? Here are some important things to consider before choosing your surface material:

Why is rubber mulch such a popular material for use in play areas? 

Safety is a primary concern and deciding factor for parents and administrators when selecting playground surfaces.  Playground rubber mulch is a popular choice. As a playground surfacing material, rubber mulch helps to prevent injuries from falls because of its exceptional shock absorbency and slip-resistant properties. With its resistance to the elements, rubber mulch provides a long term playground safety surfacing.

When comparing other materials, the safety and fall protection that rubber mulch offers is unmatched. As a playground surfacing option, it provides a safer play environment by meeting critical fall height requirements. With a six-inch layer of rubber mulch, children can be protected from accidental falls of up to nine feet by cushioning the impact. In addition, rubber mulch is slip-resistant, which helps prevent slips and falls in play areas using this material as the playground surface.

Can playground accidents be prevented? 

Not all injuries can be prevented, regardless of play surface.  But lessening the impact of falls through an effective shock absorption surface material can help. Rubber mulch is a slip-resistant material with superior shock absorption properties that can effectively protect children from slip and fall injuries and reduce the impact when they do occur. The soft and springy nature, unique texture, and elasticity help make skipping, jumping, and hopping safer while enhancing the play environment. 

Is using rubber mulch materials safe (or toxic) for play areas?

Made from recycled tires, rubber mulch goes through a rigorous process to ensure safety. This process includes the rubber material being washed and ground into tiny pellets. In addition, all traces of metal, wire, and steel are removed to make it safe for children by protecting against potential hazards. It is recommended to choose a manufacturer that provides a 99.5% wire-free guarantee. 

On the other hand, wood mulch uses ground-up old pallets, dyed woods, and other types of wood used in various industrial capacities. As a result, wood chips can contain byproducts including toxins, acids, arsenic, and creosote.

Are there any health risks related to rubber mulch?

Being aware of health concerns regarding the potential of harmful chemicals is important to protect children. For this reason, it’s important to choose a high-quality rubber mulch from a reputable manufacturer to be sure it's certified and free of any harmful substances. 

Are there regulations or standards when using rubber mulch?

Yes, a critical standard with measurements exists to ensure playground surfacing safety by determining a surface’s potential to reduce the risk of injury during a fall. The standard, ASTM F1292, establishes benchmarks that must be met for surface safety within the playground environment. Measurements include two metrics: G-max for impact force of a child’s fall, and Head Injury Criteria (HIC) that assesses potential impact severity.

What depth of rubber mulch is required for playground safety?

How deep your rubber mulch layer depends on the height  of the playground equipment and applicable safety regulations and standards. With a focus on safety, it’s recommended to maintain a depth of at least 6 inches for up to a 12 foot fall height.. To ensure consistency of depth, it’s recommended to occasionally rake and level rubber mulch.

Is recycled rubber a good DIY solution for playground surfacing?

When deciding what playground surface is best for your project, the installation process could be a deal breaker — especially if you’re the installer! If you’ve decided to lay down rubber mulch, no problem! This excellent surface option not only offers superior shock absorption when a child falls, but it’s also easy to install. Just decide where t o place your mulch, prep the surface, calculate what you’ll need, and distribute evenly.

Does rubber mulch get hot in the sun?

Like other urban landscape materials and playground equipment, rubber mulch exhibits similar heat retention properties and can get hot when exposed to direct sunlight. However, recycled rubber mulch is designed to perform well in all weather conditions. It’s design and composition provide consistent safety and comfort, making it a great choice for all seasons throughout the year. Also, although concerns about rubber mulch releasing chemicals in hot weather have surfaced in the past, studies have shown that such levels do not pose significant health risks as such levels are generally low.

Is rubber mulch environmentally friendly?

Rubber mulch consists of recycled tires that would otherwise remain in a landfill. As an environmentally sustainable material, this option repurposes discarded tires, conserves forest resources by relying less on organic options, and reduces landfill waste. 

Make the right choice for your needs.

Choosing what’s best on playground surfaces has everything to do with keeping children safe while having fun. Rubber mulch is one of the safest choices and is by far the most durable boasting a long life and requiring low maintenance when compared to other surface options. 

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