Thousands of children are treated for injuries related to playground equipment each year. The numbers are alarming and parents should pay attention.
- Approximately 104,157 were treated for injuires from swing sets
- More than 8,800 from seesaws or teeterboards
- Approximately 80,668 from slides and sliding boards.
- Avoid playgrounds that have concrete, asphalt, hard-packed dirt, or grass. Recommended surfaces include shock-absorbing unitary materials like rubber mats or loose fill such as double-shredded bark mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand, and fine or medium gravel of suitable depth.
- Check to see that there is enough space for kids to easily get off the slide or merry-go-round. Don’t let children crowd exit areas.
- Remove drawstrings and hoods from clothing that could catch on equipment.
- Use care in the sun. In hot weather, equipment exposed to direct sunlight can burn skin.
- Wear proper footware- no bare feet.