How to Avoid Playground Accidents
Playgrounds are happy venues for children, where they can run around and enjoy the different playsets with their friends and playmates. However, things can turn around and become nightmarish if accidents occur when safety is disregarded. Follow these guidelines for playground safety to avoid misfortune and threat to life and limb.
Safety Rules
It is important for public playgrounds to have safety rules posted around its vicinity to guide both parents and children while using the area for their enjoyment. The danger comes when people fail or neglect to read these safety rules that are meant to keep them safe while in these playgrounds. Parents, guardians and elders should be responsible enough to make certain that the safety rules are read and followed without fail.
Generally, playgrounds are constructed with safety in mind. However, when safety is set aside, accidents occur more often than not. Here is a list of some of the more popular playground equipment and the possible dangers that accompany each.
Slides. Falling off from the top of the slide is the most prevalent cause of injury of this equipment. Most slides are built 5 feet or higher, and this could certainly cause serious injury, especially to younger and smaller children. Pushing and shoving, or climbing up the slide the wrong way are the causes of such accidents.
Swings. Even the smallest of infant swings can cause significant injury when used improperly. Children passing too closely in front of swings that are being used cause the usual accidents on outdoor swing sets. Outdoor swingsets must have ample space for passing in front and at the back. Some children fall off from the swing when they do not hold on to the swing properly, and a few injuries include finger-pinching from the chains holding the swing. In this regard, some of the more modern swings have been installed with protective covering for the chains to avoid injuries.
Monkey Bars. Children playing on monkey bars fall off when they climb over and fall through the bars. This could be avoided with only the proper use of these monkey bars.
Merry Go Round. Because of the prevalence of various injuries caused by the once popular Merry Go Round, this equipment has been gradually phased out from playgrounds. Situations where the equipment spins strongly and children either jump or fall off causes injuries ranging from scrapes to head injuries and getting caught under the spinning platform.
