Even if the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over yet, families are regaining normalcy. Playgrounds have officially reopened, so children and parents can rejoice. After spending almost all of their time inside, youngsters can go outside and enjoy unrestricted play. Unfortunately, many children’s activities come with some risk of injury or accident, even if the playgrounds are designed to keep kids safe. The dangers are real, and parents have to do everything within their power to prevent accidents from taking place. Each year, numerous children go to hospital emergency rooms with injuries associated with playground equipment. Heavy metal swings, high trapeze rings, and rusty merry-go-rounds are some examples of dangerous features.
Common Accidents on Public Playgrounds
Slips, Trips, And Falls
Injuries from a playground can range from relatively minor to severe. Examples of injuries that are treated in emergency rooms include bruises, cuts, scrapes, and fractures. Incidents can be prevented if parents are better educated about safe practices to use while on a playground. It’s necessary to keep an eye on where the kids are and what they’re doing. Playground equipment could be broken and cause a slip and fall injury, which is why it’s essential to evaluate the area ahead of time. Open gates and broken railings can lead to wounds, particularly in a place where kids are constantly running and climbing.
Falls From Height
Unsupervised youngsters climb on top of playground equipment and fall. Kids can fall into others below, or one kid may accidentally/intentionally knock down another one off of the ladder or rock wall. Keeping a child safe on the playground is more of an art than science. More precisely, you have to trust your gut feeling. Anything higher than the adult eye is off-limits. If a youngster falls from a short distance, they’ll end up with a concussion. Falling from a greater height, on the other hand, can result in a skull fracture with bleeding. Climbing features are mainly responsible for injuries on the playground, but we can’t ignore falls from swings, slides, and monkey bars.
Defective Playground Equipment Injuries
Some playground structures present manufacturing defects, which can lead to injuries in the kids who use them. More often than not, the parks don’t have knowledge about these defects until someone gets hurt. Innocent children may be severely injured or die. Some of the most common playground injuries from defective equipment are lead paint poisoning, splinters from a wood surface, entrapment between bars, and cuts from sharp edges or corners of the equipment. Playgrounds should be enjoyable and safe havens for kids and parents alike, but they can be hazardous places if they’re poorly designed or improperly maintained.
You May Be Eligible to Make a Claim for Personal Injury Compensation Against the Local Council
The owner of the playground can be responsible for the injuries a child has suffered. They’re legally obligated to maintain the safety of the equipment and surrounding location. If your pride and joy have been injured as the result of a playground accident, you may be eligible to make a claim for personal injury compensation. When the public council fails in its duty of care to the public by not maintaining the property (and an accident occurs), they could be liable for the injuries sustained. To make the playground reasonably safe, the local council has to regularly inspect the equipment and fix any issues.
Councils have a duty of care to ensure people are kept safe in public spaces, such as parks, and their spaces (schools, leisure centers, etc.). You should consult an experienced solicitor who can help prove that the accident was caused by negligence. Some places that are accessible to the public are run by private companies or individuals. This means that they may be subject to the Occupiers’ Liability Act, so it’s not possible to make a personal injury claim against the local council. Determining liability can be tricky, so it’s a good idea to speak to a solicitor. They can separate the issues and clarify who might be responsible.
If you have a strong case, the solicitor will agree to take your case on a no-win, no-fee basis. Should your claim be successful, the legal costs incurred will be recovered from the person responsible for your child’s injury. The solicitor will help you obtain the necessary evidence and documentation to make a successful claim. Most importantly, they’ll make sure your expectations are managed each step of the way. If the solicitor makes a mistake handling the legal matter, it’s called malpractice, and you can sue.
A Few Tips to Keep Your Child Safe on The Playground
Playgrounds offer fresh air, friends, fun, and exercise. Nonetheless, defective equipment, improper surfaces, and unsafe behavior can spoil the fun. Accidental injuries happen all the time. By following safety precautions, you can lower your kid’s risk of experiencing an injury at the playground. Here are some suggestions to help keep your loved one out of harm’s way.
Make Sure the Playground Is Safe
Inspect the playground and make sure it’s free from obvious dangers like broken glass. Many injuries can be prevented by reporting hazardous materials and checking out the equipment. If you see anything out of the ordinary, tell the person in charge immediately so they can help. It’s recommended to avoid playgrounds that have asphalt, concrete, dirt, or grassy surfaces.
Teach Your Kid About Playground Safety
It’s vital that kids keep an open eye out for dangers. If they get excited when arriving at the playground, the youngsters will get playing right away. They must know how to be safe and act responsibly at the playground. But what are the essential life skills to teach kids? Well, kids should know how to:
- Use playground equipment properly
- Avoid wet, slippery surfaces
- Never push while on slides, swings, or other equipment
- Grasp climbing apparatus with both hands
- Play games at a safe distance from playground equipment
Properly Dress for Play
Finally, yet importantly, youngsters should wear the right apparel to the playground. Playgrounds tend to be dusty, dirty, and muddy, so it’s necessary for kids to wear clothes that don’t get stained or torn easily. They should be dressed in long pants and shirts with long sleeves. Flip-flops or sandals should never be worn on a playground. The same goes for accessories.
