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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 200,000 children ages 14 and younger are seen in U.S. emergency rooms for playground-related child injuries.  About 45% are severe fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations and amputations, and about 75% of the non-fatal injuries occur on public playgrounds with most occurring at schools and daycare centers. On public playgrounds, the injuries happen mostly on climbing equipment.

"With more daylight and school closed for summer vacation, children will be using public playgrounds more than ever.  Before allowing a child to play on these playgrounds, please review the following Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) "Public Playground Safety Checklist" below," recommends Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

1. Make sure surfaces around playground equipment have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or are mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials.
2. Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, be sure surfacing extends, in back and front, twice the height of the suspending bar.
3. Make sure play structures more than 30 inches high are spaced at least 9 feet apart.
4. Check for dangerous hardware, like open "S" hooks or protruding bolt ends. 
5. Make sure spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs, measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
6. Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.
7. Look out for tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
8. Make sure elevated surfaces, like platforms and ramps, have guardrails to prevent falls.
9. Check playgrounds regularly to see that equipment and surfacing are in good condition.
10. Carefully supervise children on playgrounds to make sure they're safe.

"Broken or defective equipment can result in a child's wrongful death or serious injury.  It's important that playgrounds are maintained and properly constructed," says Attorney Spivey

Florida Child Injuries Attorney,  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,600 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.