Did You Know?
Every year Hamot treats children that are injured on a playground. Here are some playground facts:
- More than 200,000 children, ages 14 and younger, are treated for injuries on playgrounds each year.
- Most injuries occur on public playgrounds due to falls.
- Most deaths occur on home playgrounds due to strangulation.
- Children, ages 5-9, are at the most risk for injury.
- Climbers cause more injuries on public playgrounds.
- Swings cause more injuries on home playgrounds.
Safety Tips:
- An adult should always be able to see the children as they play on a playground.
- Have an adult check out the playground to be sure nothing is broken and there is nothing sharp that could cause a cut.
- Share. Everyone would like a turn.
- Be cool. Wait for your turn.
- Nobody likes to be pushed or shoved.
- Take off scarves, mitten cords and loose strings and purses before playing.
- Take off your hood or put it on and tie it tight so it does not get caught on things.
- Tie shoelaces to prevent tripping.
- Use handrails and guardrails.
- Take off your helmet before you play. It may get caught on something and you could get hurt.
- Do not run in front of swings and slides.
- Playgrounds are no place for skates or bikes.
- Put book bags, books and anything else somewhere safe so someone does not trip on them.
- Walk far around swings and slides so you do not get hurt.
For more information and Injury Prevention Tips, please visit the Hamot Shock Trauma website.
For the print version of this article, please click here.
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