{"id":626,"date":"2026-05-05T15:32:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T21:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/?p=626"},"modified":"2026-05-18T07:21:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:21:09","slug":"kinderlatch-addresses-playground-hazards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/kinderlatch-addresses-playground-hazards\/","title":{"rendered":"KinderLatch Addresses Playground Hazards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Achieving a Safer Standard: How KinderLatch Addresses the NRPA &#8220;Dirty Dozen&#8221;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At KinderLatch, our mission has always been to provide a&nbsp;<strong>safer gate hardware solution<\/strong>&nbsp;for the places our children play. We are committed to engineering products that align with the highest industry standards for playground maintenance and design.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"204\" class=\"wp-image-627\" style=\"width: 150px;\" src=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-05-at-15.18.46.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-05-at-15.18.46.png 648w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-05-at-15.18.46-220x300.png 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"p-rc_7e4a26b8dbc24478-29\">The\u00a0<strong>National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)<\/strong>\u00a0publishes a &#8220;Dirty Dozen&#8221; Playground Safety Checklist\u2014a 12-point guide to identifying and eliminating common hazards. When we designed KinderLatch, we specifically looked at several of these points to ensure our hardware provides a safer alternative to traditional, outdated latches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is how KinderLatch helps facility managers address key items on the\u00a0<strong>Dirty Dozen<\/strong>\u00a0list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Eliminating Protrusion Hazards (Point #3)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"p-rc_7e4a26b8dbc24478-30\">The NRPA defines a protrusion hazard is a component or piece of hardware that is capable of impaling or cutting a child, if a child should fall against the hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Traditional Problem:<\/strong>\u00a0Standard &#8220;fork&#8221; latches use jagged metal that protrudes several inches from the fence post, easily defined as a hazard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The KinderLatch Better Way:<\/strong>\u00a0Our patented &#8220;bulbous'&#8221; design removes these sharp hooks entirely. By using\u00a0polymer <strong>radiused edges<\/strong>\u00a0on the shielded sleeve, KinderLatch creates a better profile that deflects impact rather than catching or piercing the skin or eye.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Reducing Crush, Shear, and Sharp Edge Hazards (Point #10)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"p-rc_7e4a26b8dbc24478-33\">Point #10 of the Dirty Dozen. Components in the play environment should be inspected to make sure there are no sharp edges or points that could penetrate the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Traditional Problem:<\/strong>\u00a0Conventional latches have exposed &#8220;forks&#8221; that posse a severe risk of causing an injury, easily capable of penetrating the skin or an eye.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The KinderLatch Better Way:<\/strong>\u00a0We utilize a patented\u00a0&#8220;bulbous'&#8221; cover that protects the sharp edges. Our design deflects the energy of the impact to lessen the risk of injury.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Simplifying Proper Maintenance (Point #9 on the&#8221;Dirty Dozen&#8221; #11 on the &#8221; Daily Dozen&#8221; )<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"p-rc_7e4a26b8dbc24478-35\">For a playground or ballfield to remain functional, it requires systematic, preventive maintenance to check for broken pieces, rust, or deterioration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Traditional Problem:<\/strong>&nbsp;The original metal gate latch has been around for a hundred years and has become a forgotten part of our playgrounds and ballfields. Municipalities have become complacent in the maintenance of the old gate latches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The KinderLatch Better Way:<\/strong>&nbsp;While KinderLatch can&#8217;t truly make municipalities have a better maintenance plan, We can continue to bring better awareness to address the need for safer solutions .<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Safer Partner for Parks and Recreation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"p-rc_7e4a26b8dbc24478-37\">The NRPA &#8220;Daily Dozen&#8221; #12 recommends that all playgrounds be inspected by a\u00a0<strong>Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI)<\/strong>. We encourage all facility managers to work with these professionals to ensure their play areas meet national standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By choosing KinderLatch, you aren&#8217;t just buying a latch; you&#8217;re choosing a better piece of hardware designed with the NRPA\u2019s rigorous checklist in mind. Let\u2019s work together to smooth out the edges of our community play spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrpa.org\/siteassets\/the-daily-dozen-12-point-playground-safety-checklist.pdf\">the-daily-dozen-12-point-playground-safety-checklist.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0f5779fcfdc9ec75eede9116f17db13f wp-block-paragraph\">dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/ecfsd\/childcare\/STARS\/Kits\/DirtyDozenPlaygroundsHazards.pdf<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-fbfcd93fb1caad08f12c67c7011c0715 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:500\"><strong>KinderLatch:<\/strong>&nbsp;Better engineering for a safer day at the park.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97956d0f32800ba827f8364120fa4926 wp-block-paragraph\"><em>For more information on the NRPA Daily Dozen and the Dirty Dozen, visit\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nrpa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.nrp<\/a><\/em>a.org<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CPSC.gov playground safety handbook<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0be8cbceb422e103a1058a38ad50d1e7 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3.2.2 Protrusions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A protrusion is considered to be a hazardous protrusion when it can cause bodily injury to a<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> user who impacts it. Injury can include impalement or laceration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260327_1545023552-224x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260327_1545023552-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260327_1545023552-763x1024.jpg 763w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260327_1545023552-768x1030.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260327_1545023552-1145x1536.jpg 1145w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260327_1545023552.jpg 1516w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3.4 Sharp points<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sharp points, corners or edges on any part of the playground or playground equipment may cut or puncture a child&#8217;s skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sharp edges can cause serious lacerations if protective measures are not taken.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fences should have no protrusion hazards located less than 54 inches above grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260317_1700253852-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-666\" style=\"aspect-ratio:9\/16;object-fit:contain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260317_1700253852-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260317_1700253852-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260317_1700253852-768x1151.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260317_1700253852-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260317_1700253852-1367x2048.jpg 1367w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260317_1700253852-scaled.jpg 1709w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CPSC reports that 79% of all playground injuries are from falls, the remainder stem from contact with hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_20260316_1641534232-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-664\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NEISS reports that from 2021-2023 there have been over 190k emergency room visits from public and private playgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ASTM F1487<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260301_115121-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-663\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ASTM F1487 standard defines a protrusion hazard as any projection that, when tested, is found to be<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> capable of cutting a child, or catching clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-thumbnail is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/662999826_122097473204789132_3924512178620821910_n-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-199\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/662999826_122097473204789132_3924512178620821910_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/662999826_122097473204789132_3924512178620821910_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/662999826_122097473204789132_3924512178620821910_n-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/662999826_122097473204789132_3924512178620821910_n-768x769.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/662999826_122097473204789132_3924512178620821910_n-1534x1536.jpg 1534w, https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/662999826_122097473204789132_3924512178620821910_n.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Achieving a Safer Standard: How KinderLatch Addresses the NRPA &#8220;Dirty Dozen&#8221; At KinderLatch, our mission has always been to provide a&nbsp;safer gate hardware solution&nbsp;for the places our children play. We are committed to engineering products that align with the highest&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":627,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[35,36],"class_list":["post-626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-information","tag-nrpa","tag-playground-hazards"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=626"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/626\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":679,"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/626\/revisions\/679"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinderlatch.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}