​The summer heat has well and truly arrived, which means your outdoor local government facilities – like playgrounds – need to be considered.

The Cool Schools Initiative report, published by Western Sydney University last year, found playgrounds are reaching temperatures beyond that for safe child play. This presents a challenge for local governments looking to limit their exposure to risks and claims resulting from playground injuries.

In the report, artificial turf surfaces measure up to 98°C in direct sunlight – just a couple of degrees short of boiling water. A sun-exposed rubber tyre had a reading of 105°C.

Soft fall, a common playground surface material, can reach over 80°C in the sun on a 35°C day. The temperature of astroturf reached 89.6°C on a 37°C day. Even woodchip ground cover was measured at 74.4°C when the air temperature was 35°C.

You can imagine the potential damage to a child's skin in a very short amount of time.

Last week's weather was Perth's hottest start to summer in nearly a decade, and the heat is set to continue.  Tips to guard your playgrounds against the worst of the heat include:

• Shade – have a good balance of shade options. Trees and metal awnings offer the best source of shade. Shade cloth comes in a close second with the added bonus of flexible orientation options.

• Orientation - avoid playground equipment facing north/north-east as they will be bathed in direct sunlight throughout the day. This is especially the case for metal slides.

• Colour - consider the colour of equipment. Dark or black colours absorb heat more intensely than lighter shades.

• Materials - choose materials wisely. Metal will absorb heat like crazy. Composite plastic is durable for other types of equipment and is a good all-rounder. Wood is a great structural option but is expensive and requires continual maintenance.

• Ground cover - soft fall helps minimise fall injuries yet can heat up quickly. This is the same with astroturf. Grass and sand absorb the least heat.

• Signage – signs warning of increasing temperatures on play equipment help parents and guardians make informed decisions about where their children play.

For more information or for a risk assessment of your playgrounds, please contact the LGIS risk and governance team on 9483 8888 or your regional risk coordinator.