Playground injury - Watch your children while they play — Health Aware - Mens, womens and children. Fitness and health care

Where is your child? What are they doing? Are you sure that they are safe?

“Well, my child is at the playground, playing with her friends, I don’t think anything bad could ever happen to her…”

You are so wrong. Injuries in playground CAN BE FATAL!

In Malaysia, more than 3000 cases of injury occur every 3 months. Playground injuries turn out to be the fourth highest among all injuries. And most cases involved children aged 5-9 years.

Children are the most precious thing that anyone can have. No parents on their right mind want anything bad to happen to their children. Playground safety is everyone’s responsibility. There are so many injuries that can occur to your child. Some common types of injuries include:

Fractures – usually involve upper and lower limbs
Laceration wound
Abrasion wound
Muscle sprain
Cerebral concussion
Haematoma and bruises
Internal injuries

SAFETY FEATURES OF A GOOD PLAYGROUND THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Make sure the playground is provided with cushion falls with minimum thickness of 2 inches. The surfaces under and around play equipment should be soft enough.
The shock absorbing material should extend 6 feet around the equipment. For swings, the area should extend twice the height of the suspending bar.
Good spacing of playground equipments. They should be at least 12 feet away from each other.
The playground should be free from any sharp or protruding object.
No small openings that can trap and entangle children.
Guardrails should be put around elevated surfaces such as platforms, ramps and bridge ways to prevent falls.
Games like climbing rockets, cradle swing and monkey bars are dangerous and extra caution should be take
The maximum height of any equipment must not exceed 8 feet as this can cause serious injury if the children fall.

Playing is fun. And playing is important to your child. That is how they learn. And that is how they grow. So, don’t let their excitement end with misery…

Source: Ministry of Health Malaysia