By Robin Ruehlen
C & G Staff Writer
   
Backyard playgrounds can make for a fun-filled summer vacation, but when not installed properly, they can also lead to tragedy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 children under age 14 are treated in emergency rooms for playground-related injuries each year in the U.S. About 45 percent of those injuries are severe fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations and amputations.

“I think as soon as the weather changes we see more accidents,” said Donna Bucciarelli, program director for Safety City USA in Royal Oak and the trauma prevention coordinator for Royal Oak Beaumont. “When kids play outside, they get caught up in the moment. They don’t think about the consequences. … It’s really important an adult is supervising.”

Angie Hicks, founder of consumer rating service Angie’s List, said parents should take time to survey their property thoroughly, as well as research play equipment, before beginning work on a backyard play structure.

“We routinely advise consumers about safety issues, and during the summer, we see an increase in requests for help with finding and installing playground equipment,” she said.

“You need a level area that will drain well, and if you don’t have that, you may need to call in some professional help before you even start shopping for equipment.”       

Plan the play area on flat, amply shaded ground away from roads and driveways, and be sure it is visible from inside the home. Keep at least 6 feet between the equipment and any structures, and avoid positioning it in direct sunlight, as metal components may become dangerously hot.

“If you’re thinking about a system, find one that you can change the pieces too, so you can get different parts to your swing set, whether it be different swings or slides, as your children get older,” Hicks added.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises choosing equipment that is treated to prevent rust and corrosion, or in the case of wooden play equipment, rot and insect-resistant.

Metal sets should be galvanized, and painted with lead-free paint. Wood sets should be arsenic-free, and made of redwood or cedar, which are best at repelling insects and least likely to splinter. CPSC Commissioner Thomas Moore recommended in a statement that parents wash children’s hands with soap and water immediately if they come in contact with chromated copper arsenate-treated wood on older play structures.

Consider hiring a professional to install the set, Hicks said.

“More than half of our members who recently purchased playground equipment reported that they put it together themselves, and one-quarter of those admit it was a bad idea and they wouldn’t recommend it,” she said. “It’s complicated, and your child may be in danger if it’s not installed correctly.”

Parents need to ensure the cushion beneath the equipment and swings is soft and deep enough to absorb a fall. At least 9 to 11 inches of wood chips, mulch or shredded rubber is recommended, and more should be added as the material is tamped down from use.

“When I was a child, many playgrounds were on concrete,” said Shelleen McHale, the director for Children’s Choice Learning Center at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester. “We’ve come a long way in that area.”

Once installed, test the equipment for stability, and inspect it for sharp edges and rough wood. All S hooks should be closed, and there should be no protruding bolts and screws. Anchors should be concrete and at least 6 inches beneath the surface.

To prevent strangulation, never attach any type of loop-forming materials to the play set, and secure both ends of climbing ropes. Do not use ropes that can untwist or separate for swings.  The CDC reports that swings are responsible for most injuries occurring on home play equipment.

“Another thing to be aware of is no draw-strings, no necklaces, no hoodies,” Bucciarelli said. “Parents have to make sure they know which age appropriate equipment they take their children on, mostly because of the height.”

McHale also stressed that it’s important that structures be age-appropriate. “I’ve seen 3-year-olds on play equipment that’s marked for school-age children,” she said.

Finally, Hicks said, keep an eye on the equipment from time to time, and check it for signs of wear and tear or missing parts. For information on recalls involving playground products, visit www.cpsc.gov.

You can reach Staff Writer Robin Ruehlen at rruehlen@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1105.