Playgrounds Not Always Safe

(HealthScoutNews) -- It's that time of year when children start to flock to neighborhood and schoolyard playgrounds.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) reminds parents and community officials that they need to inspect those areas to ensure they're safe.

In 2001, there were more than 509,000 playground-related injuries treated in doctor's offices and hospital emergency rooms, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Those injuries cost the nation more than $1 billion in medical bills, work loss, pain, suffering, and legal liability.

The majority of playground injuries occur when children fall from playground equipment onto the ground. They also often strike playground equipment as they fall.

The playground surface is an important factor in reducing the number and severity of injuries in such falls. Softer surfaces such as engineered wood mulch, shredded tires, or cushioned rubber safety surfacing provide the best protection.

Asphalt, concrete, soil, packed dirt, grass, and turf all increase the risk of injury when a child falls from playground equipment.

The higher the playground equipment, the deeper the playground surface material needs to provide enough impact absorption when a child falls.

Adult supervision is another important factor in keeping children safe on the playground.

Well-designed playgrounds include separate areas for active play such as swinging, and quiet play, such as digging in sandboxes. Play areas for preschoolers should be away from play areas for older, more active children.

Playground equipment should be made of weather-resistant materials and have railings, steps and handholds designed for children.

The AAOS offers the following checklist of what you should look for when inspecting playground equipment:

• Loose, damaged or missing supports, anchors or footings.
• Loose or missing nuts, bolts or other connectors.
• Broken or missing rails, steps, rungs or seats.
• Bending, warping, rusting, or breakage of any component.
• Protective end caps missing from bolts or tubes.
• Sharp edges or points caused by wear or breakage.
• Deformed hooks, shackles, rings or links.
• Worn swing hangers and chains.
• Worn bearings.
• Lack of lubrication on moving parts.
• Exposed mechanisms such as joints or springs that could inflict a pinch or crush injury.
• Splintered and deteriorated wood.
• Cracks or holes in surfacing materials.
• Garbage in the area -- particularly glass or cans.
• Natural hazards such as roots, rocks or poor drainage areas.

More information

You can get more information about playground safety by going to the Prevent Injuries America! section of the AAOS Web site.

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