20,000 U.S. Children Treated Annually For Playground Injuries

With springtime comes more children playing on local playgrounds. Although playgrounds are safer than they used to be, injuries still happen. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency departments treat more than 20,000 children (ages 14 and younger) in America for playground injuries each year. Broken bones, abrasions and even strangulation can occur on playground structures. I was recently reading about some ways that playground safety can be enhanced.

It's widely agreed that adult supervision is a key component of preventing playground injuries. Adults can ensure that kids don't engage in unsafe behavior when using playground equipment. Adults can also help kids gauge distances on equipment, help them get up and down from climbing structures, and help make sure that older kids do not test limits too much.

Having safe equipment is also essential for protecting children on playgrounds. Since the mid-1980's, innovations in technology have led to new playground equipment and surfacing requirements. Some safety guidelines include proper signage and labeling, and safe surface materials -- which include engineered wood fiber, pea gravel, sand, shredded rubber mulch, wood chips, and organic mulch.

It's also important that the playground equipment be kept in safe working order. Tripping hazards, such as rocks or tree stumps, should be removed from the area. Sharp edges should be made smooth, and all platforms should be in good repair with working guardrails. Hardware should be checked and never protrude. The cushioned ground surface should extend at least six feet beyond the equipment, and worn out materials should be replaced.

Finally, children should use only the equipment recommended for their age groups and ability levels. Some playgrounds have age guidelines clearly posted on equipment to help adults ensure their kids play on equipment that is right for their ages.

I always loved time with my own children on playgrounds when they were young. It's one thing to make sure your kids are safe on the playground, but it's another thing to make sure that you are building memories with them that they -- and you -- will always treasure. Go play!

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past

Each Year 200,000+ Kids Go To Hospitals With Playground Injuries

Recess might be the best part of a kid's school day and the playground is all fun and games -- until someone gets hurt.

Last year in the United States, emergency departments treated more than 200,000 children (age 14 and younger) for playground-related injuries, and 45% of playground injuries are severe fractures, internal injuries, dislocations or concussions. Children ages five to nine have higher rates of emergency department visits for playground injuries than any other age group. Most of these injuries occur at school.

I'm sharing these statistics because it is important for schools to maintain playgrounds that are as safe as possible, and playground monitors need to be on the lookout for situations that may create a hazard for children. Softer surfaces -- such as mulch, grass, sand and wood chips -- go a long way to preventing serious injuries. However, children tend to play in groups and that can be a recipe for trouble.

When I was a 5th grade teacher and a playground monitor I would see children stopping at the bottom of the slide and not getting out of the way of the next person coming down. I saw children who were not paying attention and walking directly into the path of someone on the swing set. There are many situations for a playground monitor to be on the lookout for in order to try and lessen the number of nearly a quarter million children that go to the emergency room each year with playground-related injuries.

Kids are going to be kids, but we as adults need to do what we can to keep them safe while they're in the classroom, cafeteria, gymnasium, or on the playground.

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past