Playground Safety: How To Prevent Playground Injuries

Playgrounds can be magical places for children. However, they are also a source of common pediatric injuries. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 220,000 children under the age of 14 are treated for playground injuries in emergency rooms each year.

Even though accidents can happen to even the most cautious child, and under the most attentive supervision, there are key actions parents and caregivers can plan to take to ensure playground safety. We’ll share that advice below, along with common injuries and how to know when medical help is necessary.

Common Types of Playground Injuries

‍Falls‍

Falls from playground equipment are among the highest rates of emergency visits. Whether kids lose grip on monkey bars, slip while running or climbing, or bounce off a seesaw, it’s possible that they can hit the ground pretty hard, leading to a variety of serious injuries.

Cuts and scrapes

Minor cuts and scrapes don’t necessarily mean playtime is over for the day; many can be cleaned with soapy water and bandaged on the spot before sending your child back out to play. But you should seek medical attention if bleeding won’t stop, if the cut occurs from metal or glass, or if wounds are deep enough to require stitches.

Fractures/broken bones

It can sometimes be hard to tell when an injury is actually a broken bone. Signs of a fracture may include: pain and swelling, lack of limb mobility, inability to put weight on the injured limb, bruising and redness, or deformity of the affected area. (Learn more about diagnosis, treatment, and healing in our Parents’ Guide to Understanding Fractures.)

If you’re unsure whether medical attention is necessary for a possible broken bone, always err on the side of caution. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, seek out our LuskinOIC Pediatric Orthopedic Urgent Care Center. Our medical experts focus solely on children’s medical care for fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, and other musculoskeletal injuries.

‍Rather than waiting in an emergency room for care from a general physician, you can walk in and see a pediatric orthopedic specialist in just a few minutes—you can even use the Save My Spot option to get in line online. Learn more about our urgent care center here.

Collisions

Rounding a corner too fast or standing too close to the bottom of a slide can cause collisions that lead to injuries like a concussion or a bloody nose. Seek medical help if a bloody nose continues to bleed after 15 minutes or if your child shows these symptoms of a concussion: confusion, headache, nausea, impaired speech, blurred vision, or loss of consciousness. Parents should be instructed to follow up with a physician if child if they witness visual clues of suspected concussion and if child reports concussions symptoms that don’t resolve within about 10 mins or appear to be worsening. Download our Concussion Recognition Tool here.

How to Prevent Common Playground Injuries

Supervise children and encourage safety

Ensure that children know (and follow) playground safety rules, how equipment works, and the importance of social factors like taking turns and being kind. Help maintain safety by discouraging bullying or pushing, crowding at exits or the bottom of slides, or other unsafe play like standing on a swing. Remind children that jumping off of a tall structure can be dangerous and should be avoided.

Take notice of the playground environment

Is the equipment more suitable for older children? Is the ground soft like mulch or sand, or hard like asphalt or gravel? Examining the surroundings in which your child will be playing allows you to determine their level of safety. Also, take note of the state of the equipment, keeping an eye out for rusted corners, broken swings, or loose parts.

Safe clothing

Hoodies or shirts with drawstrings, and  loose necklaces, are both an unfortunately common cause of strangulation on playgrounds. Ensure that children aren’t wearing anything loose around their neck. Appropriate footwear can make running and climbing safer, too—aim for closed-toe sneakers that are securely tied or fastened.

Age appropriateness

Playgrounds for younger children are built in a way to be more suitable for shorter height, lower strength, and less ability to grip (such small hands!). For all-ages playgrounds, ensure that the younger set knows which play equipment is off-limits; for instance, seesaws or sliding poles/fire poles are generally not recommended for children under age six. Last, although a parent or guardian might be tempted to go down a slide with a toddler or baby on their lap, this is discouraged by medical experts, as a child could potentially get a limb stuck on the way down and cause injury.

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Health and Safety For All Children

We aim to provide outstanding musculoskeletal medical assistance for all children and we’re here for you if an unexpected playground injury happens. Learn more about our caring team of experts at LuskinOIC here.