Playground Safety Is Everybody's Responsibility

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kristen Krebs or Anne Vogel
800/837-7123

ARLINGTON, VA. -- Playgrounds offer kids the chance to enjoy the fresh air and stretch their muscles, but adults need to be aware of potential hazerds. The best way to keep children safe on playgrounds is for adults to be informed. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and its National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) offer tips and advice for parents and caregivers to help keep kids safe.

"It's important for adults to check the playground for potential hazards, and to check their childron as well," said Ken Kutska, certified leisure professional and NRPA's immediate past president. "How a child is dressed plays an important role in his or her safety. For example, drawstrings on clothing, such as hooded coats and sweatshirts, should not be worn because they may get caught on the equipment causing a serious -- if not fatal -- injury."

NRPA and NPSI offer these additional playground safety tips for perents:

• Inspect the playground before play.
  
  
• Supervise children while they play.
  
  
• Be sure children use playground equipment appropriate for their age.
  
  
• Be sure children use the playground equipment for its intended purpose only. Check that all elevated surfaces have chest-high guard rails. Watch for potential trip hazards such as rocks, tree stumps and concrete footings.
  
  
• Be sure that all openings are less than three-and-one-half inches wide or greater than nine inches wide to prevent head entrapment.
  
  
• Check that each piece of equipment is surrounded by a minimum six-foot fall zone covered with an appropriate amount of resilient surfacing such as sand, pea gravel, or hardwood fiber/mulch.
  
  
• Make sure playgrounds are well maintained. Report any problems.
  
  

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 150,000 children are injured on playgrounds each year in the United States. NRPA recommends that parents and caregivers contact the playground owner or operator if they suspect potential danger to children. Taking the time to check for hazards on playgrounds is critical to a child's safety.

"Playgrounds provide an important social and physical environment for the development of children. They offer kids the chance to exercise, be outside in the fresh air and socialize with other children," said Kutska. "It is the responsibility of parents and caregivers to keep playgrounds safe so children have the opportunity to cake advantage of all the benefits playgrounds have to offer. "

Public playgrounds are not the only play areas that present hazards for children. Home playgrounds can also be potentially dangerous. Parents are urged to follow these home playground safety tips:

• Check that your back yard is large enough for playground equipment. Your site must provide good visibility and security.
  
  
• Watch out for obstacles, such as the garage, tree branches, utility poles and wires, located near the playground site before setting up the equipment.
  
  
• Be sure your child's weight and age fall within the manufacturer's recommended limits for the equipment.
  
  
• Review the manufacturer's literature: it should reference product compliance with the ASTM F1148 Safety Standard for Home Playground Equipment.
  
  
• Make sure the playground equipment is clearly visible for proper supervision.
  
  
• Read and follow the manufacturer's directions when setting up equipment.
  
  
• Check that the installation is level, well drained and anchored to meet manufacturer's specifications.
  
  
• Make sure each piece of equipment has an adequate fall zone covered with an appropriate amount of resilient surfacing such as sand, pea gravel or hardwood fiber/mulch.
  
  
• Check that your child is dressed appropriately for the playground -- clothing with hoods or drawstrings can cause strangulation
  
  

NRPA is a national, non-profit service organization dedicated to extending the personal, environmental, social and economic benefits of parks and recreation through its network of recreation and park professionals and civic leaders. There are approximately 23,000 NRPA members, including national, state and local experts on recreation, at-risk youth, crime, health, aging, environmental and urban planning. NRPA's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.nrpa.org/nrpa.

Editor's Note: Interviews with Ken Kutska can be arranged by contacting Kristen Krebs or Anne Vogel at 800/837-7123.