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Each year in the United States, 200,000 preschool and elementary school children visit an emergency department for care of injuries sustained on playground equipment!
About One Injury Every 2 1/2 Minutes! (1)
- It is the responsibility of adults to create play environments that are challenging for children, but that are also reasonably safe.
- Falls account for 90 persent of the most severe playground equipment-related injuries. (2)
- Head injuries are involved in 75 percent of all fall-related deaths associated with playground equipment. (2)
- Swings, climbers, and slides combined account for 85 percent of playground related injuries. (2)
What Kind of Equipment is Appropriate for Your Child?
| Ages 2-5 years |
Ages 5-12 years |
| Activity Panels |
Swings |
| Swings |
Tire Swings |
| Tot Swings |
Spiral Slides |
| Small Slides |
Horizontal Ladders |
| Lower Platforms |
Chain and net Climbers |
| Spring Rocking Equipment |
Sliding Poles |
| Sand/Water Tables |
Merry-go-Rounds |
| Crawl Tunnels |
See-Saws |
| Playhouses |
Track Gliders |
This chart is for consideration only and is not an extensive list.
What Can We do?
- Use loose-fill materials like hardwood fiber mulch or chips, pea gravel, fine sand or shredded rubber under and around playground equipment.
- It should be maintained at a depth of twelve inches.
- It should extend six feet in all directions as well as being directly under all stationary equipment.
- Ensure that a comprehensive inspection of all playground equipment is conducted by qualified personnel.
- Abide by daily, monthly, and annual maintenance schedule.
- Report any hazards and have them fixed.
- Supervise children whenever they are on playground equipment.
- Make sure your children are using age-appropriate playground equipment.
- Remove hood and neck drawstrings from all children's outerwear.
References
1. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). National Electronic Injury Surveillance System 1990-94. Washington (DC): CPSC.
2. National SAFE KIDS Campaign, Washington (DC), 1998.
3. National Program for Playground Safety. School of HPELS, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls (IA).
[Keywords: Playground Safety]
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