Preventing Playground Injuries
Posted on Mar 28, 2013 8:31am PDT
Every year in the U.S. 200,000 children are seriously injured on playgrounds. On average, 15 will die each year. Most of the injuries are completely preventable. The National Recreation & Park Assocation has put together its list of the "Dirty Dozen" playground dangers:
- Improper Protective Surfacing
- Inadequate Use Zone
- Protrusion & Entanglement Hazards
- Entrapment in Openings
- Insufficient Equipment Spacing
- Trip Hazards
- Lack of Supervision
- Age-Inappropriate Activities
- Lack of Maintenance
- Crush, Shearing and Sharp Edge Hazards
- Platforms with No Guardrails
- Equipment Not Recommended for Public Playgrounds
If you see any of these dangers on your child's playground, alert the school principal, your local parks department, etc. You can download the complete book here.
Pete Clancy is an Oakland personal injury attorney.