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Image credit: \u00a9 iStockphoto.com\/davelogan<\/p><\/div>\n
Astonishingly, some 75% of non-fatal playground injuries happen on public playgrounds, including at schools and daycare centers, the CDC said.<\/p>\n
Here’s a frightening statistic \u2013\u00a0 147 children ages 14 and younger died from playground-related injuries including strangulation and falls from 1990 to 2000, the latest years that statistics were available, according to the CDC. Most of those deaths \u2013 70% of them \u2013 occurred on home playground equipment.<\/p>\n
The numbers are quite sobering.<\/p>\n
But playground injuries can be prevented through good design, careful oversight and foresight.<\/p>\n
Places to be extra careful:<\/p>\n
*Most public playground injuries occur on climbing equipment, according to the CDC statistics.<\/p>\n
*On homer playgrounds, most injuries occur on swing sets.<\/p>\n
*Playgrounds in low-income neighborhoods are more prone to causing injuries due to a lack of maintenance, according to the CDC. Rusty equipment and inadequately padded surfaces where children can fall and get hurt are the biggest culprits.<\/p>\n
The National Program for Playground Safety offers some helpful safety hints for parents<\/p>\n
to keep your children S.A.F.E<\/strong>.:<\/p>\n S<\/strong>upervision from adults is present, but ropes and strings on clothing that could get caught in playground equipment and cause accidental asphyxiation are not allowed.<\/p>\n A<\/strong>ll kids must play on playground equipment that’s designed for their ages. Don’t let smaller children use equipment meant for older children, which will be dangerous for toddlers. Be sure to keep children in areas of the playground that are appropriate for their ages.<\/p>\n F<\/strong>alls to surfaces are cushioned. Almost 70% of playground injuries happen when children fall from equipment onto surfaces that are not protected and cushioned, according to the group. Surfaces should be padded well with hardwood fiber\/mulch, pea gravel, sand and synthetic materials such as poured-in-place, rubber mats or tiles, the NPPS said. Playground surfaces should never be made from concrete, asphalt, grass, blacktop, packed dirt or rocks.<\/p>\n E<\/strong>quipment is safe. Carefully check to make sure the playground equipment, at home or in a public playground, is anchored safely in the ground and is in good condition. Watch for protruding and rusty bolts and materials and be sure that there are no parts that are missing.<\/p>\n