Playgrounds can be fun for children to play on, but also dangerous at times. According to the CDC, each year in the United States, 200,000 children under the age of 14 are sent to the emergency room with playground-related injuries. This may be related to injuries sustained on playgrounds in neighborhoods, parks, schools, or even in the back yard. Injuries oftentimes come from monkey-bars, slides, and other faulty jungle gym equipment.
Playgrounds can cause a variety of injuries including broken bones, concussions, dislocations, and internal injuries. About 45% of playground-related injuries cause these injuries, as well as amputations. About 75% of nonfatal injuries related to playground equipment occur on public playgrounds, mostly at school and daycare centers.
To avoid accidents like these and trips to the emergency room, families should establish rules for play-sets and trampolines. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has listed some potential trampoline rules in order to help families and prevent injuries.
Do not attempt somersaults because landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis
No one under 6 should use a full size trampoline
Anyone using a trampoline should be supervised
"Rules are very important that every house has. It's rules for play, don't go up on the roof, don't stand up on a monkey bar, things that children sometimes like to do as daredevils," said Jack Zagrodzki, the vice president of marketing for the Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop in Berkley, Michigan
As well as establishing rules, when purchasing a play-set, you should make sure you have a good surface for the playground to be placed on. According to the CPSC, 60 percent of all injuries on playgrounds are caused by falls to the ground and occur upon impact. The CPSC recommend surfaces like wood chips or sand, so that if a child does fall off the play structure, there's a protective surface to land on.
Source: Click On Detroit
If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys specialize in all types of personal injury cases. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.