Attention News Editor:

News Release                For Immediate Release

                                                                        June 2, 2006

Playground Safety Reduces Childhood Injuries

Call it the summer of safety. Public Health is promoting playground safety with the goal of reducing the number of injuries children will suffer this summer.   

Each year almost 30,000 children in Canada need medical attention for playground injuries, according to Safe Kids Canada. Both community and backyard playgrounds can present dangerous situations. Parents can do a number of things to make backyard play equipment more safe, which is important because one in every five playground injuries happens at home. Securing equipment to the ground and away from trees and fences, as well as supervising children are important prevention steps. A soft surface material underneath and around all equipment is also a major safety feature at any playground. 

According to Public Health Inspector, Angela Newman, “Grass just doesn’t cut it when it comes to preventing injuries from falls. It may look soft, but the hard ground underneath won’t absorb the impact when a child falls. Wood chips, loose sand or pea gravel at least 30cm or 12 inches deep are better choices.”

Falls, usually involving climbers, slides and swings, make up almost three quarters of all playground injuries. Simply adding a soft surface material can help children avoid many injuries.

Playground operators should routinely check playgrounds for broken or malfunctioning equipment. Surface materials may need raking back under equipment as part of the regular maintenance to ensure enough depth to absorb the impact of a fall. Anyone concerned about a community playground should contact the operator. 

Parents and operators can contact public health for new pamphlets and checklists for playgrounds. For more information, call 376-9420 or log on to www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

-30-

Attachments:

Photo –Angela Newman, Public Health Inspector checks out the newly completed toddler and infant playground at G'shawdagawin Daycare, which includes state of the art rubberized ground surfacing.  Also on hand are daycare staff Wendy Deiter and Gertrude Kewageshig and Daycare Supervisor Janice Mason.

 For more information:

Angela Newman

Public Health Inspector

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 ext. 252

Carrie Griffith

Public Health Nurse

Manager, Family Health Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 ext. 417