According to The Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov), over 200,000 children ages 14 and younger are treated for inujuries sustained on playgrounds in the United States.  Because of our year round sub-tropical weather our kids spend more time on playgrounds more than children on other states, increasing the opportunity to injure themselves.

The CDC shows that 45% of accidents involve severe fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations and amputations.  Statistics show that 75% of the accidents occur on school, day care, and other playgrounds and that children ages 5-9 are most likely to land in an emergency room.  Most children have been injured on climbers on public playgrounds and by swings on home playgrounds.

As a parent, what should you do to prevent an injury to your child? According to www.kidshealth.org, you should check your child's clothing.  Make sure that clothes are well-fitting with no loose cuffs, strings, or belts that can get caught in equipment.  Children sometimes play on equipment that is too big for them or made for older children.  Make sure your child is playing on age appropriate playground equipment.

Kids are going to fall at times.  Take note of the playground's surface.  Is it absorbing like recycled rubber or non-absorbing bare dirt or asphalt?  Although not statistically proven, it is believed that many accidents could be prevented by simply providing closer supervision.  Keep a close eye on your kids and make play time fun and safe.