Playgrounds are designed to challenge, engage, and develop children — but they must also be safe and compliant. One of the most serious and often overlooked risks in playgrounds is entrapment — where a child’s head, neck, finger, or body becomes stuck in equipment. This is where playground inspection probes play a critical role. What is playground entrapment? Entrapment occurs when a child becomes physically stuck in part of a playground structure and cannot free themselves.