The city installs a fence near the swing set. You felt oddly about it, because it seemed too close for comfort. No less than a few weeks later, your child is badly hurt on the fence after trying to jump off the swing. Who’s to blame for playground injuries? This seems the opposite of better playground safety.

Be Aware Of Hazardous Park Layouts

In cases like this, there’s no reason to believe that someone wouldn’t have considered the fact that children often jump off swings to see how far they can go. It’s a common behavior on playgrounds. Even though it’s frowned on, adults see it daily. By putting a fence too close to the swing set, the city may have been negligent in its actions. It may have inadvertently put your child in harm’s way. In that case, you could have a right to pursue a personal injury claim against those who maintain the park.

Inspect Areas and Equipment For Better Playground Safety

An average of 17 children die every year on playgrounds, the majority of those deaths are preventable. As many as 1.9 million children each year suffer a recreational or sports-related concussion in the U.S. Learn concussion signs and steps to keep kids safer on the playing field. With the right playground layouts and safety precautions, many children can avoid painful injuries that impact their lives.

Read the signs for playground rules and regulations. Monitor children and be sure they play in age appropriate areas. Check under and around park equipment for soft material such as sand, mulch, wood chips, or safety-tested rubber. Ensure all equipment is sturdy and well maintained, without loose hardware or unstable pieces. These actions create better playground safety fro all children.

How You Can Help

By familiarizing yourself with the NRPA Playground Safety Guidebook you can learn to help identify safety hazards and help keep our children safer.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: National Recreation and Park Association; National Safety Council

Image Source: Playworld

Teach Playground Safety

If you are with your child, checking equipment is important but teaching children to check themselves will ensure their safety by helping to avoid playground injuries – when you are not around. Check swings for broken links or damaged parts. Also check all equipment for missing bolts and parts. If your child is old enough to read, make sure they look for signs and follow written rules.

Learn and share the Playground S.A.F.E. Standards.

Teach Children Proper Equipment Use

Teach kids not to stand on swings or climb on areas not intended for climbing. Encourage children to take turns and to never push or roughhouse on the playground. Children should make sure other kids are not occupying the same area to avoid collisions. Teach children to check slides before sliding down and to never climb up a slide. Further, check equipment in direct sunlight to avoid playground injuries such as serious burns. In Alaska, children should also know to steer away from cold surfaces in winter and always wear winter gear while outside.

When Playground Injuries Occur

Sadly, playground equipment does not receive proper maintenance to avoid playground injuries and children can get hurt. If that happens, it is important for the owner of the playground to be held liable. Children are young and sometimes fragile; adults have a responsibility to make sure play areas are safe and prevent playground injuries. If your child suffers playground injuries, take photos of the incident location and contact an attorney to discuss your case.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: Safe At Play; Playground Guardian

Image Source: Creative Recreational Systems

Teach Playground Safety

Review the posted rules with your child when you arrive at a playground. Walk around the playground together to look for potential hazards, as well as equipment that is, and is not, age-appropriate for your child.

Teach children to use playground equipment appropriately. Review how to properly play on swings, slides, monkey-bars, and climbing equipment as needed. Remind children to look out for others and to take turns so everyone can safely enjoy the playground.

Setting Standards

Safe playgrounds start with guardians and caretakers advocating for reasonable safety precautions and considerations. When exploring an unfamiliar playground, consider “S.A.F.E.” standards:

• Supervision – appropriate adult supervision of children. Even when using backyard play equipment, it’s important to supervise children at all times in case of an accident.
• Age-appropriate – ensure the playground equipment is appropriate for specific age groups.
• Fall surfacing – inspect the surfaces beneath and surrounding playground equipment to ensure adequate protection from falls.
• Equipment – survey the playground equipment for adequate maintenance and overall safety hazards. Report any concerns to the group responsible for the playground.

Avoid playground accidents by remaining aware of potential hazards and risks. If you notice damaged or unsafe equipment or surfaces, report concerns immediately to the overseeing group. Many playgrounds have signs posted that provide not only rules and regulations, but also contact information to make safety reports.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: Safe At Play; Playground Guardian

Image Source: Premier Park & Play