How to identify unsafe playgrounds

Playing outdoors is important for children's development. But to avoid accidents you have to plan a recreation area so that the space is both creative and safe.

In order to ensure the safety and fun of children in condominium parks, hotels, schools, clubs, squares, buffets and restaurants, have any standards been established by ABNT? Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT), body responsible for technical standardization in the country.

Based on English standards? one of the most rigid in the world, the ABNT primer indicates what a playground should look like: toy angles, fixation, floor types and appropriate materials. Know more:

Playground floor

One of the rules dictated by ABNT concerns the floor of the playground that to absorb impacts must be soft. Recommended floors are sand and grass with depth for cushioning. Parks installed on concrete or asphalt floors are totally outside the rules established by ABNT.

Materials

The materials used must be weather and oxidation resistant and free of chemicals harmful to health. ABNT advises that the indicated materials are: plastic, steel, galvanized iron and treated wood? all with non-toxic paint.

Area of ​​circulation

To prevent children from running around or bumping into playground equipment, playgrounds should have at least 5 feet of circulation around each toy.

It is important to make sure that there are no? Pitfalls? where children may stumble, such as tree roots, tree stumps, concrete edges, and sudden changes in floor elevation.

Falls

Falls are the leading cause of hospitalization due to accidents in children aged 1 to 14 years and can lead to serious consequences such as head injuries. According to studies by the NGO Safe Child, the risk of injury is four times higher if the child falls from a toy larger than 1.5m.

It is estimated that at least 90% of these injuries could be prevented with preventive attitudes and adult supervision while children play.

Adult supervision

The best accident prevention in parks is adult supervision? parents, monitors, babysitters. Here are the preventive attitudes you can take to help prevent child injury:

• Check that the toys are in good condition and appropriate for the child's age;
• Observe if the floor is absorbent to fall, such as grass and sand;
• Ensure that your child, when riding a bicycle, rollerblade or skateboard, wears appropriate clothing and appropriate protection, such as a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads;
• Guide the child about the limits on the use of each toy;
• Avoid using equipment that is not in a good state of repair;
• Be aware of what your child is doing and, if possible, help him in all activities.

See more ABNT rules:

• The playground should be separated into areas according to the age range of the children;
• The protruding screw threads must have protective finishes;
• The corners of toys must be rounded;
• Wooden playgrounds should be smooth, free of splinters or splinters;
• To discourage children from running within the swing path area, it is necessary to install safety barriers around the toys.

Taking care of the safety of children is a responsibility of adults. Do your part and spread this idea and the guidelines above.

4-Safety - How to tell if your local playground is unsafe (April 2024)