A Study of Hazards Associated with Playgrounds

Objectives: Injury is a major health problem in the United States, particularly in urban communities. The results reported herein represent a 1994 survey of playgrounds in a northern suburb of Detroit, Michigan. In order to identify and quantify a variety of safety hazards, 19 public playgrounds wer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental health 1995-06, Vol.57 (10), p.23-26
Main Authors: Allen, Sandra K., Johnson, Robert R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bruises
Children & youth
Children's accidents
Consumer goods
Craniocerebral trauma
Environmental Education
Environmental Health
Evaluation
Features
Health hazards
Medical equipment
Michigan (Detroit)
Physical trauma
Playground Design
Playground Equipment
Playground slides
Playgrounds
Prevention
Safety
Safety education
Suburbs
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Summary:Objectives: Injury is a major health problem in the United States, particularly in urban communities. The results reported herein represent a 1994 survey of playgrounds in a northern suburb of Detroit, Michigan. In order to identify and quantify a variety of safety hazards, 19 public playgrounds were surveyed. Methods: The study involved 19 public playgrounds, which were evaluated over a 14-week period during the summer of 1994. These surveys were completed by a single observer using a structured instrument developed in accordance with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines, with expert opinions within the field of playground safety, and with studies done on playground injuries and fatalities. Results: During the course of the study, a total of 474 separate hazards were identified. Of the safety hazards associated with playground equipment, climbing equipment accounted for the greatest proportion of the moderate and severe safety hazards observed. Of the 19 playgrounds surveyed, 19% had safety hazards identified that were associated with ground surfacing material. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that children who use playgrounds in the northern suburbs of Detroit are at risk to a variety of safety hazards. These hazards are likely to be found on playgrounds across the United States. Many of the hazards associated with playgrounds could be minimized if reasonable standards were mandated and enforced.
ISSN:0022-0892