Playground Safety

Background:

Playgrounds can be exciting, fun places for children to build dexterity and make friends: provided the equipment is in good condition, children follow basic safety precautions and there is adult supervision. While, for the most part, playgrounds are safe, recent statistics indicate more can be done to prevent some of the playground-related injuries in children.

Statistics:

• to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2003 more than 468,000 children ages 0-19 were treated for playground equipment-related injuries, incurring a cost of $11.9 billion in 2002.
• data reveal that the greatest number of playground injuries result from the use of monkey bars or swings.

Talking Points:

• two major causes of playground injuries are the playground equipment itself – including its condition and upkeep – and children’s behavior on the playground.
• many cases, playground-related injuries can be prevented. Most injuries occur when children fall from the equipment onto the ground. Often they are hurt not only by the fall, but by being struck by the equipment – such as steps, poles or swings – as they fall.
• type of playground surface is the most critical factor in reducing the severity of injuries due to falls. Softer surfaces such as engineered wood mulch or cushioned rubber surfacing help absorb the impact of a fall much better than asphalt, concrete, soil, packed dirt, grass or turf.
• your children at the playground. Often it is not the equipment that fails, but the children’s behavior on the playground that causes serious injury.
• and cities should keep playgrounds in good condition by inspecting and maintaining the equipment throughout the year. However, it is important for parents to inspect the playground equipment periodically and to report any concerns to local officials.

Recommendations for parents, caregivers:

• playgrounds that have concrete, asphalt, hard-packed dirt or grass surfaces.
• children to age-appropriate playground equipment.
• to ensure there is enough space for kids to easily get off the slide or merry-go-round. Don’t let kids crowd around the exit areas.
• the hand grips to verify they are shaped and sized for easy grasping.
• seats should be made of plastic or rubber: avoid metal or wood.
• any equipment with openings that could entrap a child’s head.
• sure you can clearly see your children on the playground. The kids should have clear, unobstructed views from their height.

Recommendations for children:

• on dry equipment.
• one person at a time. Slide sitting down, facing forward. Move away from the slide exit once you reach the ground.
• climb over any guardrails. Avoid climbing or sliding on equipment support poles or beams.
• stairs or steps slowly, holding onto handrails.
• proper footwear: no bare feet.
• sitting down, one person per swing. Wait until the swing stops before you get off. Be careful crossing in front of moving swings.
• hot weather, metal slides exposed to direct sunlight will burn your skin, so use caution on sunny days.

Potential Media Questions:

Q: How are children injured on playgrounds?

A: Many children fall off playground equipment and land directly on the surface below. On slides or monkey bars, kids who fall may strike equipment (steps, poles, etc.) underneath. It only takes a second to collide with a moving swing, merry-go-round or teeter-totter. Drawstrings from a hooded sweatshirt can catch on a piece of playground equipment and strangle the child. The coils of a spring rocker can severely pinch a child’s foot or hand.

Q: What are the recommended surfaces for playgrounds?

A: The safest playground surfaces consist of shock absorbing unitary materials, such as rubber mats, or loose fill such as double-shredded bark mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand and fine or medium gravel of suitable depth. Playgrounds with hard surfaces like concrete, asphalt, grass or dirt are not recommended. When lots of children play on grass for a long time, it dies and the surface becomes hard. Even a soft dirt surface, over time and excessive use, becomes hard packed.

Q: What features constitute a safe playground design?

A: Hazards can develop in even the most modern playground if the equipment breaks, bolts loosen or the playing surface is not properly maintained. Some design concepts that help minimize injuries include areas for active play – such as swings – that are separated from areas for quiet play like sandboxes. Spaces for preschoolers should be located away from areas where older, more active children play. Zones for popular activities should be widely spaced. There should be clear sight lines for adult supervision. A barrier around the playground is recommended to prevent children from running into a street.

Q: What should parents look for when inspecting a playground to determine whether or not it is safe?

A: Some things to be on the lookout for during inspection include the following:

• damaged or missing supports, anchors, footings, nuts, bolts or other connectors
• or missing rails, steps, rungs or seats
• warping, rusting or breakage of any component, or sharp edges due to wear or breakage
• protective end caps on bolts or tubes
• hooks, shackles, rings, links, etc.
• swing hangers, chains or bearings
• of lubrication on moving parts
• mechanisms such as joints or springs that could result in a “pinch” or “crush injury”
• and deteriorated wood, or cracks or holes in surfacing materials
• in area (particularly glass or cans), or environment hazards such as roots, rocks or poor drainage areas

If your inspection uncovers any of these “violations,” the playground is not safe. Bring your list of concerns to report to the local park or school officials.

Relevant Material:

• to Playground Safety: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/brochure/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=39&topcategory=Injury%20Prevention
• Safety Checklist: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?thread_id=180&topcategory=playground%20safety
• Common Questions about Playground Safety: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=443&topcategory=Children
• Safe Is Your Child's Playground?: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=407&topcategory=Children
• Safety Tips for Kids: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=406&topcategory=Children
• Program for Playground Safety: http://www.uni.edu/playground/home.htm
• National SAFE KIDS Campaign: http://www.usa.safekids.org/content_documents/Playground_facts.pdf
• KaBOOM!: http://www.kaboom.org/About_KaBOOM/playgrounds.html

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Media

• 2009 Annual Meeting Online Press Kit
• Media Resources