When’s the last time you took a few moments to inspect your home playground equipment and the surrounding area? According to the National Program for Playground Safety, while the vast majority of playground injuries occur in public spaces such as parks and schools, nearly twenty percent occur on home playground equipment.
Most playground injuries happen because a child falls or the equipment fails. Climbers, slides, swings, and overhead ladders are the top four culprits when it comes to playground equipment most often associated with child injuries.
The most common playground injuries include fractures, strains, sprains, abrasions, lacerations, and internal injuries. While the majority of these injuries can be treated fairly easily, some lead to ongoing complications. Others have caused child fatalities.
While public playgrounds are maintained by others, it’s up to you to make sure that your backyard is a safe space for playing. Take time to inspect your home playground equipment regularly to be sure that it is stable and in good working condition.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission created a helpful guide for maintaining a home playground. They recommend that you:
- Install a shock-absorbing surface around the equipment
- Remove any tripping hazards in the play area, such as tree stumps
- Never attach ropes, jump ropes, pet leashes, or other such items to playground equipment
- Make sure there are no sharp points or edges on the equipment
And, of course, one of the most important things that you can do to help keep your home playground safe is to closely supervise playing children.
If your child has been injured due to malfunctioning playground equipment, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
