Each year, more than 200,000 children treated in emergency rooms across the nation suffered from injuries that occurred on the playground – many of which were highly preventable. According to the Consumer Safety Commission, 70 percent of playground injuries occur in public parks and schools.
Despite the many benefits playgrounds provide children – such as opportunities for social learning and improving motor skills – there are unexpected dangers that lurk within all the fun. There are tips and cautionary measures that a caregiver, teacher, or parent can follow to ensure playground safety.
The supervising adult should do a complete visual survey of the playground landscape for any red flags or concerns in respect to equipment and its surroundings. Check for gaps or access points in the fence or to the streets. Look for dangerous or defunct playground equipment or ground surfacing material. Make sure there is a clear sight of the entire playground and look out for trees, walls or buildings that might obstruct the supervising adult’s view. Also, look for debris (broken glass, shards of plastic, etc.) or low-hanging branches and improper surfaces that can cause potential harm.
When looking for a specific playground to go to, look for the best in your neighborhood. Playground designs vary and some playgrounds are outdated, and therefore can be dangerous. They usually have concrete, asphalt or blacktop surfaces that are extremely harmful in the event of a child’s fall. The newer playgrounds have cushioning surfaces such as wood chips, mulch, shredded rubber or other like materials and are usually designed for three different age groups. Smaller children should not play in the older children’s section. For the older children, keep in mind also that a child standing on the highest platform of the equipment should be no more than 12 feet off the ground.
Help keep children safe at our playgrounds by picking up trash or debris and reporting any concerns like broken equipment, etc. to the state or city parks department. If you have playground equipment at home, make sure you inspect and maintain it as well.
Quality adult supervision is essential in preventing playground accidents. The supervising adult should guide children to the playground equipment that is appropriate to their age. Younger children (and children in general) usually don’t have a sense or fear of heights and often can not gauge what might be a dangerous situation. Watch out also for any bullying or fighting where pushing and shoving on playground equipment often occur. One of the best preventative measures is astute awareness from the person or persons supervising children at the playground.
Alexandra Reed writes for Connecticut personal injury law firm, Stratton Faxon. Contact Stratton Faxon to speak with a Connecticut accident lawyer about your personal injury, wrongful death, or Connecticut malpractice case. To learn more, visit Strattonfaxon.com.
