Post provided by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Thousands of children are treated for injuries related to playground equipment each year. The numbers are alarming and parents should pay attention.
Statistics from the Consumber Product Safety Commission show the following results for kids 3-16 years in teh US in 2011:
- Approximately 104,157 were treated for injuires from swing sets
- More than 8,800 from seesaws or teeterboards
- Approximately 80,668 from slides and sliding boards.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recomments the following safety tips:
Tips for Parents & Kids:
- Avoid playgrounds that have concrete, asphalt, hard-packed dirt, or grass. Recommended surfaces include shock-absorbing unitary materials like rubber mats or loose fill such as double-shredded bark mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand, and fine or medium gravel of suitable depth.
- Check to see that there is enough space for kids to easily get off the slide or merry-go-round. Don't let children crowd exit areas.
- Remove drawstrings and hoods from clothing that could catch on equipment.
- Use care in the sun. In hot weather, equipment exposed to direct sunlight can burn skin.
- Wear proper footware- no bare feet.
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