Playground Equipment Poses Danger to Children

Playgrounds are supposed to be safe, fun locations where parents can take their kids to get some fresh air and sunshine. Playgrounds are often featured attractions of parks and other public open spaces, designed to entice children with promises of swings, slides, and social interaction. Unfortunately, many playgrounds, though fun, fail to be safe.

There is some danger in utilizing most playground equipment, but certain equipment is significantly less safe than others, including:

• Swings, which are particularly dangerous if the seats are made of smooth plastic, or if the integrity of the seat has been compromised by weather and wear-and-tear
• Slides, particularly tall slides or slides with significant pitch
• Monkey bars, or any other bars children can hang from

Recognizing the potential dangers of this equipment is important. Parents should carefully scrutinize the play space to ensure there are no exposed nails or screws and no sign of breakdown of any important components. Vigilance is often the best protection against accidents, but even vigilance can only go so far.

Oftentimes, the danger lurking in a playground is difficult to spot for a parent, which is why city inspectors and engineers should be ensuring the safety of all public playgrounds, including those at public schools. Private playgrounds, such as those at private schools and churches, should still be inspected for safety by a qualified specialist.

If your child has been injured in a playground accident, determining whether or not proper safety protocols were developed and executed is important. Parents must be able to trust that public spaces are safe. Please, consult with an experienced attorney regarding your case. A qualified legal expert can guide you through the process of determining whether or not corners were cut or if unsafe equipment was responsible for your child’s injuries.