Playground Safety 101

Playgrounds are a great way for children to make new friends, develop skills, and get exercise. However, due to their imaginations, children may also be at a higher risk of injury on playgrounds.

It is estimated that each year more than 156,000 children experience injuries on playground equipment. Playground-related injuries can range from scrapes, cuts, and bruises to even more serious injures, including a fractured skull or a broken arm. Below are additional injuries that are commonly seen by the orthopedists at Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center.

• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Concussions
• Sprained, pulled, and torn muscles

Parent supervision and playground checks are two of the most common ways to prevent injury on the playground. Before letting your children play on the equipment, inspect the area for hazards such as glass, improper installments, or missing equipment parts that could increase the likelihood of injuries. Letting your children know what parts of the playground are age appropriate for them could decrease injury occurrences as well.