OCR Text |
Show Playground! Safety The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in one year, some 118,000 playground equipment-related injury victims received treatment in a hospital emergency emer-gency room. MOST OF these injuries involved in-volved children younger than ten years of age, and most frequently the hazard was falling from slides and climbing equipment. Many of these injuries were fatal. As the weather turns warmer, more and more children will be playing on outdoor equipment. "Control the potential danger on playground equipment," advises ad-vises Beth K. Thorson, Utah State University 4-H Home Economist, through proper selection and maintenance of playground equipment." . PARENTS SHOULD be particularly aware of these nine playground equipment dangers. (1) pinch-crush points such as the moving parts on gliders and seesaws can pinch and crush fingers. (2) sharp edges occuring frequently on some points of equipment where parts fit together should be taped with heavy tape and inspected regularly for weather damage. (3) exposed screws and bolts should be either covered with protective caps or taped over even if they appear to be out of the child's reach. (4) open ended hooks, such as the "S" hooks connecting the swing chain to the swing frame, should be avoided. If a " set has such hooks, pinch the ends in tightly with a pair of pliers. s , (5) EXERCISE rings with a diameter between five and ten inches can entrap a child's head, Many children have been hung on such rings. Discard such rings where children will not find and play with them. (6) hard, heavy swing seats can strike dangerous blows. Either buy a swing with lightweight seats or replace the heavy seats. Metal seats should have smooth, rolled edges. (7) inadequate spacing of swing sets is a potential danger to unsuspecting children. Install swing sets a minimum of six feet away from fences, walkways and other play areas such as sandboxes. (8) improper anchoring is a hazard. . Equipment should be properly anchored below ground level to provide stability and to avoid a tripping trip-ping hazard. (9) SWINGS AND slides should not be installed over hard surfaces such as brick, concrete, blacktop or cinders. Grass or sand provide much safer surfaces for a falling child to land on. In addition, do not purchase a high slide for a younger child. Proper maintenance of equipment is essential in monitoring the safety of the playground. Playgrounds should be inspected at the beginning of the play season, and every two weeks during the season. LOOSE NUTS, bolts, and clamps should be tightened, and rusted metal parts, including swing chains should be replaced. All metal parts should be oiled regularly. Rusted metal tubing should be sanded and repainted with unleaded paint. To prevent breaks "mid-swing," rope swings should be inspected for wear and stress. The 4-H leaders and members of Safety Clubs are concerned about the safety of all persons. For more information infor-mation on play hazards or on 4-H Safety Clubs, contact Ms.. Thorson at 867-2211, 295-2394, . 773-7800, ext. 294 or 295. ,- |