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Play It Safe On Playgrounds

During the warm weather months, children head for the playground to climb the jungle gym, jump rope and sway happily on swings. But with this fun also comes an increased risk of injury for children. Each year, more than 220,000 children ages 14 and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms for playground equipment-related injuries. Approximately 70 percent of these injuries occur on public playgrounds.

"As parents and caregivers, we need to make sure that playgrounds are safe for our children," said Heather Paul, Ph.D., executive director of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. "By taking a few precautions, we can assure that our playgrounds will be places to have fun - not places to get hurt."

Although playground designs are changing dramatically and often incorporate safety-conscious features, a thorough check and modification of playgrounds, especially older ones, could prevent serious injuries.

To determine if your neighborhood or home playground is safe, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign offers the following guidelines:

Check the Playground's Surface
Checking the surface under playground equipment is critical considering that more than 90 percent of public playgrounds lack adequate protective surfacing. While kids may still fall, a cushioned surface can significantly help in reducing serious injuries. Asphalt or concrete are too dangerous for children. Equipment placed on asphalt or concrete should be removed and installed on a softer surface. Grass and soil, while better than asphalt or concrete, can become compacted making them hard and dangerous as well.

If well maintained, 12 inches of shredded mulch, pea gravel, crushed stone and other loose surfaces are safe; however, all of these types of materials require replacement and continuous maintenance such as leveling, grading, raking, and sifting in order to maintain their cushioning ability. Though costly, rubber mats, synthetic turf and other artificial materials also are safe surfaces and require less maintenance.

Maintain Equipment Properly
Equipment should be mounted securely in level concrete footing below surface level to prevent children from tripping. To maintain adequate fall zones (the area under and around playground equipment where children can land), equipment should be located at least six feet away from fences, walls and other equipment. If many children use the playground, extra space around equipment will ensure fewer injuries. The National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends you take the following steps to maintain or create a safe playground.

Install slip-resistant surfaces on climbing and gripping parts of all playground equipment.

Install guardrails or other protective barriers around elevated platforms.

Paint or galvanize metal equipment to prevent rusting, which can result in weakened structures and sharp, broken edges.

Remove potentially hazardous parts, such as protruding bolts or sharp corners. These items can cause strangulation, punctures or scrapes. Close all S-hooks completely.

Watch for Moving Swings
Being struck by or jumping from swings is the cause of many injuries. Lightweight rubber plastic seats are safer than heavier metal or wooden ones. Only two swings should be allowed per bay; remove one or two swings from a set to reduce crowding. Tire swings are a good alternative but drainage holes should be drilled to keep water from collecting in the bottom of the tire. A tire swing should not be hung in a bay with another swing.

Maintaining safe equipment is only part of playground safety. Adequate supervision by adults is required at all times given that 40 percent of all playground injuries are related to inadequate supervision. The National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends the following helpful rules to teach children:

Do not run, push, shove or fight while near or on equipment;

Take turns if more than one child wants to use a piece of equipment;

Walk around moving swings, not in front of them;

Do not swing empty seats or twist swing chairs;

Sit properly on equipment and do not overcrowd;

Make sure your partner's feet are on the ground before getting off a seesaw;

Be careful when walking near moving equipment;

Do not climb up slides, use the ladder;

Ask adults for help if there is a problem on the playground, such as a fight or an injury; and

Do not wear clothing with drawstrings, necklaces, scarves or other items around the neckline while using playground equipment. Such items present a strangulation risk.

If there is a problem with poorly maintained playgrounds, parents should encourage a local parent/teacher organization or community group to maintain neighborhood playgrounds properly. The group can work with the local school board or city council to commission a regular maintenance contract with a professional playground equipment company.

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is the first and only non-profit national organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury - the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. More than 300 State and Local SAFE KIDS Coalitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico comprise the Campaign. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., Sc.D. is chairman of the Campaign. Visit their web site at www.safekids.org.