What to Know About Playground Accidents
Children love playgrounds. Parents do too, as these swings and jungle gyms occupy children and allow them to get rid of pent-up energy.
However, playgrounds are not always safe ways to play. Accidents happen more often than you think. In the United States, more than 220,000 children under the age of 14 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for playground injuries every year.
The injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries that require medical treatment, such as broken bone, sprains, dislocations, internal organ injuries, and concussions. In some cases, death can result, although this is rare. Most deaths are caused by falls and strangulations. Most injuries occur on public playground swings and climbing equipment, while most deaths occur on home playgrounds.
Causes of Playground Injuries
Falls are the most common playground-related cause of childhood emergency room visits. Children fall for many reasons. They may slip, lose their grip, or lose their balance while playing on various parts of a jungle gym, such as monkey bars, swings, slides, and see-saws.
Falls can happen easily. Something seemingly minor like the drawstrings from a hooded sweatshirt can catch on a piece of playground equipment and cause a child to fall. Often, children are hurt as they are struck by the equipment as they fall.
Injuries also happen on slides. Shinbone fractures are common among young children who are going down a slide on the lap of an adult. The child’s leg can become stuck or twisted during the ride down.
A smaller number of playground injuries occur on see-saws, or teeter-totters. Injuries may also occur when a child has contact with sharp edges of equipment or is impacted by stationary equipment. Child may also be struck with some type of equipment other than what the child was playing on. For example, they could be injured while walking past a moving swing.
Poor maintenance is also an issue. Once a playground is erected, it is not always maintained. Trash, broken equipment, and rust can cause injuries to a child.
Tips for Playground Safety
Here are some ways to stay safe on playgrounds:
- Inspect the playground for apparent defects in the playground equipment.
- Avoid playgrounds that have concrete, asphalt, hard-packed soil, or grass.
- Make sure children are wearing appropriate shoes and that shoelaces are tied or Velcro straps are secured.
- Check to see that there is enough space for kids to easily get off equipment.
- Avoid swing seats made of metal or wood.
- Use equipment properly. This means sliding feet-first and not standing on swings.
- Keep bikes, backpacks, and bags away from the play area so that no one trips over them.
- Never use wet playground equipment, as it can be slippery.
- Check playground equipment in the summertime, as it can become uncomfortably hot.
- Wear clothes without drawstrings or cords, which could get caught on equipment and accidentally strangle a child.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Playgrounds should be fun and safe, but sometimes accidents happen. If your child has been injured, you may be able to file a lawsuit.
If you’ve been injured on another’s dangerously unsafe property, see how a Bradenton premises liability lawyer from Cahall Law Firm can help you with your case. Come get justice. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the online form or calling (941) 281-2019.
Source:
orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/playground-safety-guide/
