According to Safest Playground there are about 600 childhood injuries every day on playgrounds across the U.S. that end up in the emergency room with a vast majority of them (79%) fall-related.
Approximately 45% of playground-related injuries are severe-fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations and amputations. Equipment most often associated with these types of injuries are climbers, swings, slides and overhead ladders.
Children not only experience severe injuries but also die from playground equipment-related deaths. Each year, approximately 17 children die playing on playgrounds.
Although falls and head injuries account for the majority of playground-related injuries and fatalities, the primary cause is strangulation; strangulation occurs when a child’s clothing or draw strings are caught on the equipment.
Although playground-related injuries are preventable, they still occur—a major contributor (45%) of playground-related injuries is the lack of or improper supervision.
National Playground Safety Week is April 25-29, an event sponsored by National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS).
This annual event is a reminder to parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, camp counselors, and others that children are vulnerable to playground-related injuries and fatalities.
To keep your child safe on the playground start by implementing the S.A.F.E Factors to properly maintain a safe playground atmosphere:
S.A.F.E.
• Provide proper supervision of children on playgrounds.
• Design age-appropriate playgrounds.
• Provide proper fall surfacing under and around playgrounds.
• Properly maintain playground equipment.
Adult Safety Checklist:
• Adult presence is needed to watch for potential hazards.
_ Remove ropes and strings on clothing, they can cause accidental strangulation if caught on equipment.
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<a href="http://www.bullrunnow.com/news/article/national_playground_safety_week_is_april_25_29_2016">National Playground Safety Week is April 25-29, 2016</a>