According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200,000 children are injured on America's playgrounds each year. More than 75 percent of those injuries occur on public playground equipment. Falls to the surface are a contributing factor in nearly 80 percent of all injuries.
Every parent should inspect a playground thoroughly before allowing their child to play on it. But that’s just the first step. There is much more involved in playground safety than the proper surface and working equipment. Make sure children play on age-appropriate equipment and with children their own age. Playground equipment should be designed for two different age groups: preschoolers to 5 years old, and school-age children up to 12 years old.
Here are some tips to help parents keep their children safe on the playground:
Check the surface: It should not be concrete, asphalt, packed dirt, gravel, or a similar hard or abrasive material. Hardwood fiber/mulch, sand and synthetic materials such as poured-in-place rubber mats are acceptable surfaces. No matter the surface, make sure it is not dangerously hot during the summer months. Ensure it is clear of glass, debris or trash that could be harmful.
Check the equipment: It should be anchored safely in the ground, and all equipment pieces should be in good working order. There should be no protruding bolts, exposed nails or sharp edges, and no exposed footings or anchors. Ropes should be secured at both ends to minimize strangulation risk. Animal swings should be removed from playgrounds, as the CPSC recalled them in 1995.
Check your children: They should not wear loose clothing or wear loose items like necklaces around their necks. Make sure they are properly protected from the sun.
Some general safety measures include:
- Guardrails and protective barriers should be in place for elevated surfaces, including platforms and ramps.
- Swings, seesaws, and other equipment with moving parts should be located in an area separate from the rest of the playground. They should be spaced from each other at a safe distance.
- Check for spaces that could trap a child's head, arm, or any other body part.
- Check sandboxes for hazardous debris such as sharp sticks or broken glass.
- Teach your children to never push or roughhouse while on equipment, as well as to use the equipment properly (slide feet first, sit in a swing, when jumping land on your feet, etc.)
- Children should stay a safe distance from other children on swings, being careful not to run or walk in front of or in back of moving swings.
For more information click here:
www.playgroundsafety.org