Dayton Children’s Hospital, a member of Prevent Child Injury, is participating in activities this week to promote the need for safe surfaces on playgrounds.
About 75 percent of injuries on the playground are due to falls. If your playground or home swing set is over grass, dirt, asphalt, or concrete, it’s time to update. “Good surfacing under and around playground equipment means fewer serious injuries for all children who come to play,” says Abbey Rymarczyk, Safe Kids Greater Dayton coordinator. “Even a simple swing set in the backyard should have protective surfacing to prevent injuries when kids fall.”
Whether you’re at home or out at a public playground, remember to check the surfacing first.
Is it the right type? Surfacing should be either loose materials such as wood chips, sand, or pea gravel OR permanent rubber-like materials. Permanent rubber-like surfacing and engineered wood fibers are the only surfaces that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Is there enough coverage? Surfacing should extend 6 feet out from all edges of playground equipment. Swings and slides need more coverage depending on how tall they are, so check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to see exactly how much coverage your playground needs.
Is it in good condition? If surfacing is loose materials, check heavily-used areas like under swings and at the end of slides to make sure 12 inches of material is in place. Check permanent rubber-like surfacing for worn spots or holes.
If not, make another choice. If you didn't say yes to these three questions, let the organization that oversees the playground know that the playground needs attention and find a new place to play until the playground meets guidelines.
This look at a children’s health or safety issue comes from Dayton Children’s Hospital. Email: newsroom@childrensdayton.org.
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