Our young students rarely think of the consequences that may result from their actions on the playground. And unfortunately, too often the result of students testing physical abilities can result in
injuries. According to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emergency room visits for non-fatal, playground-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children 14 and under increased
from 2005 to 2013. That includes concussions, which is a type of TBI.
By the Numbers:
- From 2001 to 2013 an annual average of 214,883 kids under the age of 15 were treated in emergency rooms for playground-related injuries.
- 21,101 of those kids were treated for TBI.
- Approximately one-third of playground-related TBIs occurred during school activities on playgrounds.
- 5 to 9 year-olds have a higher rate of playground-related TBI than any other age group.
- The most frequently reported equipment associated with TBIs were monkey bars/playground gyms (at 28.3%) and swings (at 28.1%).
Safety Tips to Reduce Playground Injuries
The American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) International standards and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines should be followed and the practices listed below should be put into place to reduce the incidents of TBI on playgrounds.
- Ensure adequate supervision of playgrounds.
- Ensure students know and are following the playground and equipment rules.
- Post playground and equipment rules for the public.
- Conduct weekly and monthly playground inspections and document findings.
- Report damaged equipment, inadequate surfacing material or any other hazard immediately and close down the playground if the hazard found is significant.
- Implement a preventative maintenance program for the playground equipment.
- Post signs noting age of children the equipment is designed for.
- Ensure the equipment is certified by a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI).
For more resources related to playground safety, you can contact a Keenan representative. Keenan has several Loss Control staff who are CPSI certified that can assist with your playground needs.