Madison Law Firms Warn Against The Hidden Dangers Of Playgrounds

Summer may be a time to be carefree, but it’s not without its dangers. Boating, swimming pool, and heat safety usually spring to mind first, but they are far from the only potentially dangerous situations parents need to consider during the summer. Madison law firms agree: one underrated, but far more common danger, is playgrounds.

Every year, the U.S. sees more than 200,000 playground related ER visits. Injuries include broken bones, fractures, open wounds, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries. While some injuries are the result of happenstance and could never be predicted, many others could be avoided or the injury minimized with a few precautions.

Common Playground Hazards As Seen By Madison Law Firms

Any type of active play comes with risk – and that’s okay. Kids need to take risks to learn and grow. What they don’t need is to take risks in a hazardous environment. By learning to recognize and avoid common playground hazards, parents and kids can be safe on playgrounds while still enjoying active play.

Examples Of Some Of The Most Common Playground Hazards Madison Law Firms Witness Include:

• Improper Or Inadequate Surfacing. Shock-absorbing surfaces help minimize injury. The most common type of cushioning surface are wood chips, but they must be at least 9 inches deep and extend out from the equipment in all directions for effective cushioning.
• Poor Maintenance. Exposed to our Wisconsin weather and frequent use, playground equipment erodes over time. For example, hooks and chains that hold up swings can break off, because they’ve degraded to the point that they cannot support the weight of a child. This has the potential to cause severe injury.
• Pinch Points. Any areas that sway or move can create a pinch hazard and damage fingers. Moving bridges are a good example of this.
• Head Entrapment. Improper spacing on equipment, between bars or railings can pose a risk if kids can get their heads or bodies into the opening, but not out. Playgrounds should be properly inspected to test for these dangers.
• Entanglement Hazards. Rope ladders, swings or the space between platforms and slides can cause children or their clothing to become entangled and pose a strangulation hazard.

Keep in mind that these dangers exist at public and private playgrounds. Your backyard play-set may even be more of a risk than a public playground. Take a good look at your playground equipment to make sure it’s in good repair and doesn’t pose an excessive risk to your children or their friends.

If your child is injured in playground accident and you think the property owner may be at fault, contact Eisenberg Law Offices at 608-256-8356 to see if you have a case.