SPRING SAFETY
TIPS FOR THE
PLAYGROUND
R
acing around after kids as they climb on playground equipment can
be somewhat nerve-racking, but close supervision, among other
important considerations, can be the key to reducing injuries.
“The lack of supervision on playground equipment was a factor in
40% of the playground related accidents,” said Phillip Devadan, MD,
Interim Medical Director of The Children’s Center at Atlantic Health
System’s Chilton Medical Center. “I know it’s not always realistic to be
right there, but it does help if there is supervision.”
From May to September when most children play outside, playground
injuries are common in the emergency department, said Dr. Devadan.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year
in the United States, EDs treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and
younger for playground-related injuries and about 56% of playground
related injuries result in severe fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dis-
locations and amputations.
The type of service on a playground plays a part in injury protection.
“Rubber tire chips that are about 12 inches deep provide good cushion
from falls,” said Dr. Devadan.
What a child wears is a factor as well.
“Strings and clips can cause strangulation,” added Dr. Devadan. “And
even though almost all equipment now is made of plastic material, metal
slides still exist. So, it is extremely important to check for sharp edges and
the temperature of the slide in hot weather to be sure legs in shorts don’t
get a surprising burn.”
What can be done? Take these simple steps to keep kids safe by:
• Checking that playgrounds have soft material under them such as
wood chips, sand, or mulch.
• Reading playground signs and using playground equipment that is
right for your child’s age.
• Making sure there are guardrails in good condition to help prevent falls.
• Looking out for things in the play area that can trip your child,
like tree stumps or rocks.
Dr. Devadan also cautions against allowing kids on trampolines.
“Caregivers tend not to supervise this activity closely and multiple inju-
ries can occur when there is more than one kid bouncing, mainly affecting
the neck and the wrist,” said Dr. Devadan.
In the end, supervised playground activities can still be rewarding.
“It’s a lot of fun for a child to go on the playground, and with the sed-
entary lifestyle many kids now lead, it’s good for them to get out and play.
There are just ways to make it less risky and decrease injuries,” he said.
To learn more about The Children’s Center at Chilton Medical
Center, please visit www.atlantichealth.org/chilton.
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