Why Our Playgrounds Have Not Become Safer

The sun is almost always shining here in Southern California, which is why our playgrounds are amongst the busiest in the country. Playgrounds should be a safe place where our children can work off some much needed energy, interact with other kids, and explore new ideas and equipment. Unfortunately, playgrounds are not always the safest place to take your child.

Checking in on the Statistics

Every year in the United States alone, more than 200,000 children are taken to the emergency room because of a playground-related injury, and these injuries tend to go beyond a scrape or a bruise.

  • Nearly 45% of playground-related injuries involve internal injuries, severe fractures, concussions, dislocations and/or amputations.
  • Close to 75% of non-fatal injuries involving playground equipment occur on public playgrounds (such as schools and daycare centers).
  • Children between the ages of five and nine have higher rates of needing to visit the emergency room for playground-related injuries, with the majority of injuries happening at school.

Over 20 years ago the cost of playground-related injuries for children who were 14 and younger was $1.2 billion per year. Given that the number of injuries have not substantially decreased since that time, it is easy to assume that the costs are the same as that number if not even higher.

The Importance of Supervision

Lack of adequate supervision is a leading cause for many of the injuries sustained on the playground today. When parents or guardians are glued to their smartphones, engrossed in conversation or are simply not present when their children are playing, they are being negligent by not observing and supervising the children in their care.

Young children, especially between the ages of five to nine, have a higher rate of visiting the ER for playground-related injuries. They are often unaware of their own physical limitations, and do not have the experience necessary to know that they are moving too quickly or are climbing too high.

Parents, guardians and caretakers must be vigilant in ensuring that they take reasonable steps to guarantee a child’s safety when on the playground.

If your child has been injured on the playground due to lack of supervision or the poor maintenance and design of playground equipment, at the Cifarelli Law Firm our attorneys are here for you. Our law firm works to defend the rights of children and we will work tirelessly to protect yours. Call us today to arrange for a consultation at (949) 502-8600.

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7700 Irvine Center Drive Suite 150
Irvine, CA 92618

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Monday-Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm

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