7 Tips for Tree House Safety

Building and playing in tree houses is a favorite activity for young children. Though a tree house can be a place of great fun and imagination, unfortunately it can also lead to serious injury. Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injury among children, and the most severe falls are those from great heights and over hard surfaces. Since tree houses are high above the hard ground, they become dangerous places for children to play. Fortunately, there are steps parents can take to help their children safely enjoy the adventure of a tree house.

Tree House-Related Injury Facts:

• The most common tree house-related injuries are broken bones, followed by bumps, bruises and cuts.
• Usually, the upper part of the body is injured, including the shoulder, neck, arm and hand. The head and face are the next most commonly injured body parts.
• Most injuries occur when children fall or jump from a tree house.
• Other dangers include strangulation by ropes or chains, and cuts from broken glass or exposed nails.

If you’re looking to build a tree house in your yard, follow these tips to make it safer:

• Choose a strong, sturdy, healthy tree for the tree house.
• Build the tree house low to the ground. A tree house greater than 10 feet in the air is too high.
• Keep the tree house away from electrical wires. A child might try to grab them or swing from them.
• Surround the area below the tree house with a protective surface, such as wood mulch. Use at least 9 inches (deep) of protective surfacing in a 72-inch (6 feet) zone around the structure to help reduce the shock of a fall.
• Plan a safe way for children to get up and down the tree house like built-in steps or a built-in ladder. Ropes or similar devices such as chains should be avoided because of strangulation hazards.
• Solid barrier walls, not guardrails, should be used for the treehouse walls. The barrier should be at least 38 inches high.
• Keep the tree house free of dangerous materials such as exposed nails or broken glass.

Adult supervision is recommended. Children younger than 6 years of age should never play in a tree house unless an adult is present.