Playgrounds are intended to be a safe space – but unfortunately, accidents happen. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents estimates that at least 40,000 playground injuries to children will result in a hospital visit every year.
In the following guide, we’ve outlined a few of the most common types of injuries caused by accidents in playground. We’ve also covered a few of the reasons why these accidents might happen in the first place – and how families should respond in the event of serious injury.
Accidents in playgrounds: Can they be avoided?
In any physical play setting, children are just learning how to interact with the world. Playgrounds are a fantastic way to encourage curiosity and exploration but play structures can cause harm if they’re not used correctly.
Accidents on playgrounds can be prevented. Equipment must be managed to ensure that it’s installed, maintained, and inspected to a high standard. Implementing basic safety measures and rules could also help to reduce the risk, but there are some causes that can’t be controlled.
In the case of injuries caused by unsuitable or damaged equipment, successful accident claims against authorities and negligent playground managers provide crucial support to families while their child recovers.
What are the most common playground injuries?
- Cuts and bruises
Cuts and bruises are minor, but they should still be monitored. Make sure to keep any open wounds clean and covered, monitoring daily for signs of infection.
- Dislocated joints
Dislocations can be an incredibly painful injury for a child or an adult to suffer. In most cases, a solid cast, brace, or specific healing process will be offered by a doctor.
- Head injuries
Unfortunately, head injuries are likely to occur if a child falls from play equipment. If your child hits their head on a hard surface, you should assess them immediately for signs of concussion – including dizziness, confusion, and nausea.
- Sprains and strains
Slips and trips might result in minor injuries to joints. Ankle sprains are common, and with initial swelling, it’s easy to confuse a sprain with a more serious injury.
If your child falls and something doesn’t look quite right, make sure to take them to the nearest emergency department.
Final thoughts…
If your child is still showing symptoms from a recent accident, you should always contact a doctor if you’re concerned.
You could also take some time think about who might’ve been responsible for the accident. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act, you might be able to make a claim after an accident on improperly maintained play equipment.
And to prevent similar instances in the future, you should contact the relevant school or authority, highlighting the importance of making play areas a safer space for children.
Disclosure: this is a collaborative post