Friday Facts! Playground Safety

Welcome to Friday Facts! here on the Knowledge Safari blog. Each week we aim to shine the spotlight on a various segment of special needs in order to raise awareness and provide information. For the next several weeks, we are focusing on childhood safety issues which are important for all families.

Today we focus on Playground Safety.

Taken from the Children's Safety Network

Definition: Playgrounds and outdoor play equipment can be found in backyards, schools, day care centers, local parks, community recreation centers, and more. They enable children and youth to exercise and play. However, they can also present an injury hazard if they are not constructed safely or maintained properly and if children are allowed to play on them unsupervised.

Magnitude of the Problem: Between 1990 and 2000, most deaths (70%) from playground injuries occurred on home playgrounds. However, the majority of non-fatal injuries occurred on public playgrounds, primarily in schools and day care settings. In fact, playgrounds are the leading cause of injuries in elementary schools. According to the CDC,
Between 1990 and 2000, 147 children age 14 and younger died from playground-related injuries.

82 (56%) of them died from strangulation.
31 (20%) of them died from falls to the playground surface.

Prevention: Parents, care givers, child care providers, and teachers should supervise children on playgrounds at all times. Regulations mandating how playgrounds are constructed (e.g. installing protective surface materials) can help to make these areas safer for children and reduce injuries. Currently, 15 states have passed laws mandating that U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission safety guidelines and warnings on playground surfaces and age-appropriate equipment be followed. Regular inspections and maintenance of playground equipment are essential to keeping kids safe.

Useful Publications
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - Playground Safety Publications

Injury Prevention Links
CDC Home & Recreational Safety
Home Safety Council
National Playground Safety Institute
National Program for Playground Safety
Safe Kids USA
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission