HARRISBURG, Pa., April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), the playground industry's leading playground safety certification organization, today recognized National Playground Safety Week (April 21-25) by highlighting its popular guide to choosing accessible safety-certified surfacing materials for playgrounds.

The downloadable, user-friendly brochure summarizes the latest ADA regulations for new construction and maintenance of playgrounds, and provides step-by-step instruction and visuals of the installation and maintenance of all types of IPEMA-certified safety surfacing, including: artificial turf, engineered wood fiber, interlocking tile, poured-in-place (PIP) and rubber mulch.

"National Playground Safety Week is the ideal time to share this resource, as we know how important surfacing is to improving safety on the playground," said Richard Hawley, president, IPEMA. "We also understand that researching the types of surfacing options can be overwhelming for playground owner-operators and consumers. This guide details the key features and benefits of various surfacing materials that can help kids more safely enjoy the many advantages of play on playgrounds."

Playground Safety Tips and Resources

Additionally, IPEMA and the Voice of Play will be sharing research, facts and educational materials for parents and caregivers about helping to increase safety on the playground. Tips and information can be found on the Voice of Play website, and the organization's Facebook  and Twitter pages.  Tweets surrounding National Playground Safety Week will include the hashtag #SafePlay14 on Twitter.

"We've made tremendous progress in improving playground safety in a relatively short period of time," added Hawley. "Everything from the safety surfacing and equipment to proper procedures for installation and maintenance – all have had a profoundly positive effect on increasing opportunities for safe play on playgrounds. National Playground Safety Week is a great way to encourage parents and caregivers to take an active role in learning more about playground safety."

Contact us here:

www.facebook.com/voiceofplay

www.twitter.com/voice_of_play

About IPEMA

The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association is a non-profit, membership, trade association that represents and promotes an open market for manufacturers of playground equipment and surfacing. IPEMA represents and serves its members by providing information on key economic and governmental issues affecting the play equipment industry and promotes relationships among related organizations. IPEMA provides third-party product certification services for public play equipment and surfacing in the United States and Canada, ensuring compliance with ASTM and CSA trade standards.

About Voice of Play

IPEMA's Voice of Play initiative promotes the benefits of children's play and playgrounds by providing information and resources to encourage the quality and quantity of children's play and the use of playgrounds. Through resources on the Voice of Play website – www.voiceofplay.com – and a social media outreach effort, the initiative heightens public awareness among key professional and consumer groups, including, parents, children, community groups, school administrators, parks and recreation professionals, playground designers and equipment manufacturers.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140417/76290
PDF - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/ENR/76490-IPEMA-Installation-Guide_Final.pdf

SOURCE International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association