Are the ground surfaces around your house hard, soft, or likely a combination? Here's how to deal with both:

A concrete slab or asphalt is a great surface for wheeled toys. But underneath play equipment, it makes for a hard landing. Restrict play on these surfaces only to bike riding and the like.

Wood chips, bark, or sand can help absorb the impact of a child's fall and in most cases prevent injury. Under play equipment, spread a 6-inch layer of sand or 5 to 6 inches of bark or wood chips. (Coarsely ground fir bark causes fewer splinters than pine bark.) Wet it down to keep it from blowing in windy weather. However, wet sand can become quite hard.

Sawdust is not safe, since it may harbor splinters or even nails and can be allergenic. Since most of these ground covers can be scooped up into baby's mouth, be vigilant. Though a little swallowed sand hasn't hurt most of us, children can get worms if cats have used the sand as a litter box.

Grass lawns create broad, relatively soft expanses, inviting for all kinds of children's games. Most seed companies sell rugged grass mixtures; choose one without clover, which attracts bees.

TIP: Never use a lawn mower of any type while a child is near. Rocks and other debris hurled by whirling mower blades have caused serious injury to children.

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