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Playground Perils

Physical activity during childhood can ward off obesity, reduce emotional problems and boost youngsters' performance at school. And, regular visits to the playground are one of the best ways to encourage childhood physical activity. But, there may also be hidden dangers lurking at your local play area.

Each year, roughly 211,000 preschool and elementary youths receive emergency room care for injuries that occurred on playground equipment. Of these injuries, 36% are classified as "severe" (Injury Prevention 1997; 3:1003). And, 17 children - mostly boys - die each year from playground-related accidents (Parks & Recreation 1998; 33:88-95).

Why Are Doctors of Chiropractic Concerned About Playground Safety?

Doctors of chiropractic, like Dr. Borio, frequently care for youngsters who have developed spinal ailments as a result of falls. And, because falls are among the most common playground mishaps, playground safety is of foremost concern to doctors of chiropractic.

Specifically, falls - including those that do not provoke immediate symptoms - tend to disrupt the spine's natural alignment. This disruption results in a condition called vertebral subluxation - areas in the spine where movement is restricted or bones (vertebrae) are misaligned.

Vertebral subluxations are associated with a myriad of childhood ailments, such as ear infections, attention problems, asthma, postural disorders and headache. Dr. Borio corrects vertebral subluxations with specialized maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments. When caring for pediatric patients, chiropractors use extremely gentle, modified adjustments.

Dr. Borio is committed to teaching families to prevent playgroundrelated accidents. Read on to learn how to identify the most common playground pitfalls, and how to guard your children against potential injury.

Be There

The National Program for Playground Safety estimates that 40% of playground injuries result from lack of adult supervision. Prevent accidents by never allowing children to visit the playground without an adult. To facilitate playground supervision, consider teaming up with a fellow parent to share time watching your little ones.

And, before heading out to the park, establish a set of safety rules with your children, and review them on a regular basis.

Advocate Age-Appropriate Areas

A recent report revealed that the most prevalent hazard in playgrounds is the lack of designated age-appropriate areas. According to investigators, play areas should be sized in two classifications: ages two to five and ages five to 12. But, although 59% of playground equipment is age segregated, only 35% of parks designate age-specific areas. So, seek out parks with clearly marked age classifications. If your local playground lacks these designations, take action. Contact your town's parks and recreation department and petition for appropriately designated areas.

Sand Is Safer

A full 70% of all playground injuries involve falls to the surface (Parks & Recreation 1998; 33:88-95). That's why it's essential to consider ground cover when choosing a play area for your little ones - or constructing your own backyard playground.

What's the safest surface for jungle gyms? According to a just-published report, sand is one of the safest ground covers available - and it's also one of the most economical. The study tracked 930 children in Montreal who were cared for in emergency rooms after falling from playground equipment. The analysis revealed that youngsters who fell onto grass had a nearly 70% increased risk of injury, compared with children who fell onto sand (Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2000; 54:475-7).

Besides sand, other acceptable surfaces include mulch, pea gravel, rubber tiles, mats and padded floors. In general, surfaces should be at least 12 inches in depth.

Child safety experts advise parents to steer clear of play areas with grass, dirt, gravel, asphalt, blacktop or concrete ground covers.

Dress for Safety

Dress your youngsters in shirts and sweatshirts without hoods or loose strings. These items may hook onto
equipment, causing strangulation. (For the same reason, children should not play with cords or jump ropes around playground equipment.)

Don't Forget Your Backyard

Although 70% of playground mishaps occur in public parks, most serious injuries and deaths involve backyard play equipment (Injury Prevention 1997; 3:100-103). So, research safety guidelines before purchasing a jungle gym or continuing to use any existing play equipment.

Free information on designing safe play areas is available from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site at www.cpsc.gov or 1-800-638-2772. And, many towns offer free, expert safety consulting for families.

Limit Sun Exposure

One of the greatest hazards of a day at the park isn't in the playground it's above it. Research indicates that the number of sunburns an individual suffers during childhood is directly related to his or her odds of developing skin cancer later in life. So, take measures to limit sun exposure by dressing your youngsters in protective clothing, seeking out shady play areas, using sunscreen and avoiding the playground during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Find Out More

Want to learn more about preventing playground injuries? Talk to your doctor of chiropractic. Your chiropractor is committed to educating families about injury prevention. And, if your child has been involved in a playground accident or other accident - even one that did not result in injury - make sure to schedule him or her for a chiropractic checkup.

You may also contact the National Program for Playground Safety at www.uni.edu/playground/ or 1-800554-PLA Y. Or, order the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) Handbook for Playground Safety (Publication Number 325) by contacting CPSC at www.cpsc.gov or 1 800-638-2772.

Our purpose is to educate and adjust families toward optimal health