Summertime means sunshine, pool parties, and barbecues. It also means spending more time at the playground. While playgrounds offer excitement and engaging spaces for fun and exercise, they can also pose serious safety hazards—especially in the hot months of June, July, and August. Below are six simple tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that offer helpful information on keeping your children and playground safe this summer.
1. Test the temperature of the playground equipment and surfacing. Most playsets are made from metal and plastic—two materials that conduct and retain heat. When exposed to direct sunlight, they may reach temperatures high enough to cause contact burn injuries within a matter of seconds.
2. Make sure your children stay hydrated. Children can exert an incredible amount of energy in a short amount of time. While many playgrounds have a water fountain, it could be out of service at times. Make sure children have access to cold water before, during and after playing.
3. Use sunscreen. Regardless of whether or not the area is shaded, it’s impossible to completely block out the sun. Use plenty of sunscreen on you and your child.
4. Check clamps and slides on play equipment for splitting and cracking. When a sun beats down on play equipment for weeks on end, the direct exposure can crack metal and plastic.
5. Look out for insects. In hot weather, bees and wasps like to nest under and inside play equipment. If you find a nest inside the play area, contact the playground operator, and, if necessary, remove children from the space.
6. Follow the weather forecasts. Summertime is the lightning season for Florida residents, with afternoon thunderstorms occurring nearly every day. Before heading out, make sure there is no lightning in your area, as play structures are often built with metal poles. And, after a rain shower, make sure the surfaces of the play space are secure and dry.
It is important to always supervise your children as they play at the park and use different pieces of equipment. Playground injuries are more common than you probably think: the CDC reports that every year, approximately 200,000 children under the age of 14 receive treatments in emergency rooms due to playground injuries. While some injuries are avoidable, others are caused by unseen risks, such as weakened structures, sharp edges, protruding nails, and slippery surfaces.
If your child was injured on a playground due to poor equipment maintenance or poor design, contact me today for a free consultation. You may be able to receive compensation for any medical expenses, doctor visits, and emotional distress that you or your child may have acquired as a result of the injury. When your child’s health and well-being are on the line, we can deliver experienced and aggressive representation for you! I will make sure that you are not bullied or rushed into making a decision, and you will not owe anything unless I win your case. Don’t delay in contacting me today at any of my four offices in Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, and Okeechobee. Call 866-460-1990.
