Slides. Swings. Monkey bars.
Playgrounds are always popular places on warm summer days, but Beaumont Children’s emergency experts encourage parents to pay close attention to these play areas, because there is a lot of opportunity for injuries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says more than 200,000 children go to U.S. hospital emergency rooms every year because of playground injuries.
Before a child enters the playground, always apply sunscreen. It’s easy to get burned in the summer sun. Also, check the temperature of the slides and other equipment on hot days. Even plastic slides can heat up enough to burn a child’s skin. A child’s skin burns faster than an adult’s.
Beaumont Children’s Pediatric Emergency Center physician, Whitney Minnock, MD says parents need to pick an age-appropriate playground for their children.
“For the toddlers and younger children, find structures that are lower to the ground. Ground cover is also important for softer landings. The best is rubber or wood chips. Stay away from broken equipment,” said Dr. Minnock.
Nathan Novotny, M.D., adds, “Bike helmets are for kids riding bikes, not for children on playground equipment. Bike helmets can become strangulation hazards on playground equipment.”
A recent government study about playgrounds found about 67 percent of injuries involved falls or equipment failure. Before taking a child to a playground, visit it alone first. Then, if you see anything you believe might be unsafe, you can select a different place to bring your child.
When children or grandchildren are playing, it’s easy to get distracted by reading emails or sending a text message on your cell phone. Dr. Minnock says many injuries can be prevented if parents keep their cell phones in their pocket and their eyes on their children.
Always have plenty of water available and encourage children to take breaks and drink water to avoid dehydration.