Whether you're buying a new swing set or already have one well established in your backyard, you need to protect your children by providing a reasonably soft place for them to land when they fall. And they will fall. It’s bound to happen sooner or later and 70% of all play injuries are due to falls. So the surface they land on when they fall is of utmost importance.

Don't make the mistake some parents make and think the ground beneath the swing set is a suitable landing place for falls. No matter how plush you may think your lawn is, it doesn’t provide enough of a cushion to keep your child from a serious injury.

So what do you put beneath your swing set to protect your child from a broken bone or other injury when he falls? There are several options available for parents to choose from, and while all are capable of providing a shock-absorbent surface, some are better than others. Bear in mind no matter what surface you provide, it cannot prevent all injuries caused by a fall.

Sometimes accidents just happen and all the safety precautions in the world don’t prevent them.
You can however, significantly decrease the risk by laying down a good shock absorbing material beneath the swing set and extending out at least six feet on all sides and should reach up to 14 feet in front of and in back of the swinging area. Whatever material you choose, you should buy enough to cover the entire area and for the best protection, should be at least 9 inches deep.

Double shredded bark mulch or wood chips provide a reasonably safe landing surface and with a depth of the recommended 9 inches would help cushion falls from a maximum height of 10 feet. The disadvantage of this loose fill surface is that it will deteriorate over time and needs to be replaced. Depending on the type you buy, splinters may be an issue as well, especially with wood chips. The advantage of wood mulch is that it’s typically the more economical choice.

Another acceptable type of protective surface is fine sand or fine pea gravel. Recommended depth for sand or gravel is 12 inches, again protecting a child from a height of 10 feet. The biggest disadvantage to sand or gravel is that it tends to get in the children’s shoes and therefore, into your house. Also, the gravel tends to scatter as the children play, which could cause a problem later if the lawn mower happens upon it. It’s generally more expensive than mulch, but will last longer, although if enough gets scattered, you may have to buy more to fill it in.

General consensus for the best, safest and longest lasting, lowest maintenance surface you can put down for your child is shredded rubber. In fact, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association have said publicly that shredded rubber tire chips outperform all other types of surface covering for the ability to absorb impacts.

If you choose to go with shredded rubber, it needs to be clean; otherwise it can develop an odor on hot days. Most manufacturers who offer shredded rubber products for play areas use clean, recycled rubber and many offer it in non-toxic colors that won't come off on hands, shoes, or clothes.

Shredded rubber doesn’t become less effective over time as a safe surface cover. There’s no risk of splinters and it’s practically maintenance free. Combing through it with a garden rake periodically keeps it leveled out. The biggest disadvantage is to your bank account. It’s generally the most expensive of the surfaces. But it lasts for years and you can sleep well with the knowledge that you’ve done all you can do to keep your child as safe as possible.