For children, playgrounds are entertainment havens meant for adventure
and recreation. Now that it’s summer, playgrounds are the place
to be for energetic kids and their attentive parents. However, while playgrounds
are built with good intentions, poor maintenance and a general lack of
injury-prevention resources have turned these miniature adventure parks
into high-risk danger zones. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, about 200,000 children are injured in playground accidents
each year. To keep your child safe, watch out for these 3 safety hazards.
Hazard #1: Faulty Construction
Before letting your child run free, it’s important to check the playground
equipment for exposed hardware, sharp edges, and broken parts. Approximately
1 in 3 playgrounds have faulty equipment that could hurt a child.
Hazard #2: Poor Upkeep
Unfortunately, there are no government-mandated safety standards when it
comes to managing a playground. Because of this, 1 in 3 public playgrounds
has outdated equipment and structures. When a playground is in disrepair,
it poses many dangers to children who may hurt themselves. If you notice
that a playground has damaged, rusty equipment or trip hazards like tree
roots and rocks, it may be time to find a new place to play.
Hazard #3: Improper Protective Surfacing
It’s not uncommon for a child to fall off a slide or intentionally
fly off a swing. When it comes to the landing, a playground’s protective
surfacing may be the single factor protecting your child from suffering
a severe injury. When you’re examining a playground for hazards,
make sure you take the protective surfacing into account.
Adequate protective surfaces include:
- Wood chips or fibers
- Sand
- Shredded rubber
- Rubber tiles
- Mats
Dangerous surfaces include:
We Offer 24/7 Legal Service
Contact The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC if your child has suffered injuries
because of a dangerous playground environment. A
personal injury lawsuit may award compensation that ensures your family can pay for your child’s
medical treatments. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, and offer
child injury counsel and legal representation 24/7.
Contact The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC
at (512) 271-5112 to schedule a consultation.