If your child loves the slide in the backyard or at the park, keep in mind that some slides are safer than others. For instance, the tallest part of the slide should be no higher than five feet for pre-schoolers, and six feet for school-age children. The bottom of the slide should even out to a flat surface before it ends - and should be only as high as your child’s knee. Be aware that most slide injuries happen when children fall off the slide. Some also occur when children fall out of the side on the way down, or while trying to climb up the slide itself. For best protection, slides should sit on a cushioned ground surface - like a 10-inch-thick layer of sand or wood chips. Stay away from old slides with sharp edges and corners. And remember, close adult supervision is always the best way to keep your child from getting hurt.