GroundSafeGroundSafe
The ground is hotter than the forecast. Know before the children go outside.
Download on the App Store
Screenshots
Features
A verdict in seconds
Open the app and see one clear answer for today: no concerns, caution, or not recommended. No cross-referencing four weather figures.
Seven ground types, estimated separately
Asphalt, concrete, rubber safety surfacing, artificial turf, natural grass, soil and sand each heat up differently. GroundSafe estimates the surfaces your centre actually has.
Plan around the peak
An hour-by-hour outlook and a recommended time window, so you can move outdoor play to the safest part of the day instead of cancelling it.
Every verdict shows its reasons
Surface heat, humidex, UV, wind and rain are listed individually. The person on duty can weigh the estimate against what they can see outside.
A record you can keep
Log whether you went ahead, shortened the session, or called it off. The system verdict and the conditions are stored alongside your decision.
Reminders at the times that matter
A notification the evening before, so tomorrow can be planned, and another in the morning with the updated picture.
GroundSafe estimates how hot the ground and playground equipment get, hour by hour, so childcare staff and parents can see the heat before anyone touches it.
The ground gets far hotter than the air. On a summer afternoon, asphalt, rubber safety matting and metal bars can reach temperatures that air-temperature forecasts never reveal. GroundSafe shows those estimates in one place.
WHAT YOU GET
• Estimated peak surface temperature and the hour it is reached
• 9 material types: asphalt, concrete, rubber safety matting, artificial turf, natural grass, soil, sand, metal equipment (bars, slides) and plastic equipment
• Hour-by-hour outlook so you can see the shape of the day
• Metal and plastic are flagged at lower temperatures, because heat transfers to skin faster on conductive materials
• Reminders the evening before and again in the morning
• A log to record what you did: went ahead, shortened the session, or called it off
WHY THE FACTORS MATTER
GroundSafe never shows a bare number. Every reading lists what contributed - surface heat, heat index, UV, wind or rain - so you can weigh it against what you see outside.
ESTIMATES, NOT MEASUREMENTS
All temperatures are estimated from weather data. They are not sensor readings, and the model is not calibrated against on-site measurements. Actual temperatures vary with colour, material, shade and recent weather. GroundSafe shows its estimation accuracy and tells you when data is missing rather than guessing.
GroundSafe does not tell you whether to go outside. It shows estimated heat levels and the factors behind them. Always check the ground and equipment by hand on site before letting children play. This app supports your own judgement - it does not replace it, and it is not a safety certification.
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0).