RESEARCH — INJURIES

Each year approximately 205,860 preschool and elementary children receive emergency department care for injuries that occur on playground equipment.

  • 76% of the injuries happened on public playground equipment
  • 23% occurred on home playground equipment

 

Approximately 156,040 (75.8 %) of the 1999 injuries occurred on equipment designed for public use; 46,930 (22.8 %) occurred on equipment designed for home use; and 2,880 (1.4 %) occurred on homemade playground equipment (primarily rope swings).

Percentage of injuries involving public equipment

  • About 45% occurred in schools.
  • About 31% occurred in public parks.
  • About 10% occurred in commercial childcare centers.
  • About 3% occurred in home childcare.
  • About 3% occurred in apartment complexes.
  • About 2% occurred in fast food restaurants.
  • About 9% occurred in other locations.

From January 1990 to August 2000, CPSC received reports of 147 deaths to children younger than 15 that involved playground equipment.

  • 70% of those deaths occurred in home
  • 30% of those deaths occurred in public use

Girls were involved in a slightly higher percentage of injuries (55%) than were boys (45%).

Injuries to the head and face accounted for 49% of injuries to children 0-4, while injuries to the arm and hand accounted for 49% of injuries to children ages 5-14.

For children ages 0-4, climbers (40%) had the highest incidence rates, followed by slides (33%).

For children ages 5-14, climbing equipment (56%) had the highest incidence rates, followed by swings (24%).

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

Approximately 15% of the injuries were classified as severe, with 3% requiring hospitalization.

The most prevalent diagnoses were fractures (39%), lacerations (22%), contusions/abrasions (20%), strains/sprains (11%).

Falls to the surface was a contributing factor in 79% of all injuries. On home equipment, 81% were associated with falls.

Most injuries on public playground equipment were associated with climbing equipment (53%), swings (19%), and slides (17%).

Based on these statistics and other research, the National Program for Playground Safety advocates that:

  • Adults actively supervise the children in the play environment.
  • Adults choose appropriate developmental equipment for the play environment.
  • Adults provide safe surfacing both in the public use areas and at home for playground equipment.
  • Adults insure that all equipment and surfacing located in the children's play areas be maintained on a regular basis.

STATISTIC SOURCES

All statistics were based on data obtained between 1998 and 2000 from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) National Electronic Surveillance System (NEISS). NEISS collects playground product-related data from a selected sample of more than 100 hospital emergency departments located throughout the U.S. Thus, only emergency room injuries are recorded and the national statistics are estimates. All statistics have been adjusted to reflect out-of-scope cases that were reported to NEISS.

Data reported in Tinsworth, D. and McDonald, J. (April 2001). Special Study: Injuries and Deaths Associated with Children's Playground Equipment. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.