Released June 12, 2009
MURFREESBORO, Ark. - Don't assume that because your children are playing in the backyard that they are safe from injury, warns Robbie McKinnon, Pike County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
She says backyard playground equipment and lawnmowers can pose dangers.
"Playground equipment should be tested occasionally to ensure it is sturdy and safe," she says. "Make sure there is no torn metal to snag a child, raised screws or other dangers."
"The area under and around the playground should be covered with material such as hardwood chips, mulch or pea gravel. This covering should be at least 9 inches deep and extend 6 feet from all sides of the equipment," McKinnon advises.
Playground equipment and accessories should be appropriate for the age of the children.
"If you allow older and heavier teens to use the equipment, it could be compromised and become unsafe for the younger children for whom it was designed," she says.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, emergency departments across the country treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries. About 45 percent of these injuries are severe, including dislocations, fractures, concussions, internal injuries and amputations.
While the majority of nonfatal injuries occurred on public playground equipment, the CDC reports 70 percent of fatal injuries occur on home playgrounds.
Another potential cause of injury to children is lawnmowers.
"You should mow the lawn when children are inside, not playing in the yard," says McKinnon. "The mower blade can kick up debris and shoot it out from the mower at high speed. These missiles are dangerous to any child playing nearby. Another potential danger is the noise of the mower, which can damage young ears."
The mower operator should be careful and wear goggles and ear plugs for protection.
Keep gardening and lawn care equipment away from children, McKinnon advises. Store sharp gardening tools in a locked area, with blades pointing down.
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http://www.uaex.edu/news/june2009/0612backyard_safety.htm
Contact: Elizabeth Fortune, (501) 671-2120, efortune@uaex.edu
