Safety standards have changed a lot since the '50s. Reggie Marston remembers that, back then, a skateboard was just an old roller skate nailed to a board, and kids never wore helmets or padding.

"I don't know how I survived -- no bike helmets, knee pads, and my tree house didn't have guardrails," said Marston, a home inspector and owner of Residential Equity Management Home Inspections in Springfield, Va.

Safer Alternatives

Marston said he often checks playground equipment, and he's made some changes since his childhood days.

"I use mulch under playground equipment instead of the asphalt that I grew up playing on," Marston said.

Mulch is one of the materials the Home Safety Council recommends for use under play equipment. The soft materials help cushion the blow if a child falls.

The HSC also approves of sand, fine gravel and wood chips as playground padding. The council recommends that padding be at least 9 inches deep and extend 6 feet from all sides of the equipment.

However, before parents run to the store to buy a piece of playground equipment or the padding underneath, they need to do some research.

Check Equipment First

"Always be sure to purchase age-appropriate toys for children, especially when it comes to playground sets," HSC president Meri-K Appy said.

Appy said parents should check whether there are any safety hazards or recalls on the equipment, and they should inspect it to make sure it's in good condition and is securely anchored. She urged parents to look for parts that have corrosion, rust, loose splinters or signs of deterioration and to replace them.

If the equipment is made of wood, Marston recommends that parents inspect it regularly for damage, making sure the parts haven't cracked or splintered. Metal hardware and connectors should be countersunk below the surface of the wood so they don't pose a risk of injury, he said. If the connectors can't be countersunk, they should have safety caps placed on the ends.

The location of the equipment is also important. Parents should make sure the area is clear of debris, such as stumps, rocks and broken glass, Marston said.

"Avoid putting play equipment close together. For example, stationary climbing equipment should have an uncluttered fall zone of at least 6 feet in all directions," Appy said.

Tree House Planning

If the plan is to build a tree house, soft materials should be put under the tree house to minimize injury during a fall.

"Tree houses can be dangerous places for children if the proper precautions are not taken. Falls are the leading cause of home injury and present one of the primary dangers for children in back yard play areas," Appy said.

Marston said the key to making a tree house safe is ensuring that it meets the same safety standards as an exterior deck, which means it should be securely fastened and have guardrails with pickets spaced not more than 4 inches apart to prevent a child's head from getting stuck.

Protecting Your Property

All of this fun play equipment should be properly fenced in to add an extra protective barrier.

"Fences can reduce the risk of children wandering into your yard and becoming injured while playing unsupervised on your equipment," Appy said.

Fences are especially important for families with small children and pets. The safest fences don't have any sharp edges or points, which means a board-on-board fence is the best choice for tiny tots, Marston said. Chain-link fences are good for large pets but aren't so good for small children because they offer footholds over which a child can climb.

If the family has a swimming pool, a good fence is critical to prevent children from falling in the pool and drowning, Appy said. The HSC recommends a four-sided fence that is self-locking and is at least 5 feet high, and the gates should always be closed and latched.

"Remember that regardless of age or skill level, no one is drown-proof. Children should always be supervised by an adult while they are swimming," Appy said.

Barbecue Safety

Fire prevention is another big safety concern in the back yard. For families with outdoor barbecue and grilling equipment, parents should set up a no-play zone around the area, Appy said.

And don't put grills too close to the house -- it could melt vinyl siding or catch the house on fire. Marston said grills should be kept at least 10 feet from the house. If the deck or patio is made of wood, he suggested putting a concrete mat under the grill to minimize the fire risk.

Barbecues and other hazardous equipment, such as ladders, flammable liquids and garden tools, should always be stored in a secure place where children cannot get to them. Appy suggested storing them out of high traffic areas and away from toys so children won't get close to them.

Don't Forget To Watch

Even with all of the right equipment and proper storage, the biggest factor in keeping a back yard safe is parental supervision.

"There really is no substitute for an adult who is present and 'on duty' when kids are playing outside," Appy said.