Playground safety

By MICHELLE INGLE, KOOTASCA Head Start

Playgrounds are a wonderful way for children to get the exercise and fresh air they need.
Each year, however, an estimated 200,000 children are seen in emergency rooms because of injuries sustained on playgrounds. While all injuries will not be avoided, there are many things that adults should be aware of to help keep kids safe.
The number one thing that adults can do to keep kids safe is to supervise them at all times. Too many children on playground equipment is an accident waiting to happen. Teach children to takes turns and not push each other. Also, teach children to slide down feet first, stay away from swings when they are in use, and come to a complete stop before getting off any moving equipment.
Before allowing children to play, do a quick inspection of the playground. Make sure there is no garbage, glass, sharp sticks, or anything else that may cause an injury. Touch the ground material and equipment to make sure it hasn’t gotten too hot in the summer sun. There have been reports of children getting burned from playgrounds that are too hot. If it is hot to the touch, do not let children play on it, especially if they are bare foot or are wearing shorts where a lot of skin is exposed.
An adult should also make sure that the playground equipment is durable and is not worn too much from weather. There should not be any loose or broken parts, splintering or rust. Any bolts and S-hooks on equipment that are sticking out can cause scratches, or can cause a child’s clothes to become tangled. The biggest cause of serious injuries to children are falls. Make sure that the playground has a ground surface that gives and is not packed down. Ground cover that is commonly used includes: wood chips, sand and pea gravel. All of these materials should have a thickness of six to 12 inches, depending on the height of the playground equipment and the material used. If these surfaces have become packed down, it is also not safe. Blacktop, packed dirt, grass and concrete are not safe ground covers for a playground.
If any repairs or concerns are noted, leave the playground, and contact the person or agency that is responsible for maintenance. The most important thing is to keep kids safe while they are having fun.