Creating Safe Play Areas: Guide to Playground Hazards

Playgrounds, the so called fun lands, can sometimes be the main culprits for agonizing wounds. Statistics show that most injuries occur on or around a playground equipment simply because of lack of playground equipment maintenance and tyke supervision. To Ensure our children’s safety on the playgrounds it is crucial that we understand the hazards and avoid them.

Tripping Hazards on the Playgrounds

Tripping is the most common hazard and the cause of substantial injury on the playgrounds. Play regions need to be free of tripping points. The major reason that cause tripping include the gadgets for play area gear with detached fill surfacing materials. All the gadgets on the play area, for example, solid footings or flat bars at the base of adaptable climbers, should have a support of the defensive surfacing material.

The protective surfacing will keep youngsters from getting serious injuries in case they fall on an uncovered footing. Another crucial point is to differentiate the shading of the surfacing with the hardware shading to add better perceivability. Children should be able to comprehend the equipment and dividers in order to avoid impact. A well skilled supervisor should explain the dangers of the equipment to the children before they are allowed to play. Let’s look at some of the most common hazards on the playgrounds and how to avoid them.

Hazards of Sharp Points

Sharp corners and edges on any piece of equipment may cut a child's skin. Sharp edges can result in genuine cuts if precautionary measures are not taken. To dodge the danger of harm from sharp edges and corners:

• Make sure that exposed open finishes on all tubing not lying on the ground are secured by tops or fittings that can't be evacuated without the utilization of instruments.
• Make sure that wood parts are smooth and free from fragments. All corners of metal and wood should be properly adjusted.
• There ought to be no sharp edges on slides. Give careful consideration to metal edges of the slides.
• In the event that steel-belted radials are utilized as play area gear, make sure that they are inspected consistently to guarantee that there are no uncovered steel wires.

Hazard of Impalement and Entanglement

Outdoor playground equipment in the play areas should not have the capacity to ensnare kids’ apparel. Ensnaring can sometimes result in serious injury. To avoid this danger:
Make sure that the equipment is properly maintained with no loose nuts and bolts.
Before letting your kids in the playground, survey the place for improper wiring.
Talk to the park supervisor and make sure that there are no hidden hazards that might become the cause of entanglement.
Warn your kids about the hazards of sharp wires and unsafe gear, and make sure that they understand how to stay protected.

Hazard of Ropes and Strings

Apparel can sometimes lead to serious injuries. Drawstrings on the sweatshirts, coats and other similar apparel can easily get entrapped in commercial playground equipment. The entrapment can sometimes result in strangulation. To evade this danger, follow the following steps:

• Make sure that your child does not wear any adornments, coats or sweatshirts with drawstrings attached by strings.
• Remove all the ropes, chains, or other similar play area hardware that can become a cause of entanglement.