Playground injuries and voluntary product standards for home and public playgrounds.
Accidents on home and public playgrounds account for more than 150,000 injuries per year. The Division of Hazard Identification and Analysis in the Bureau of Epidemiology has studied playground injuries. Swings, climbing apparatus, gliders, slides, and seesaws were listed as apparatuses associated with the highest percentages of injuries. Falls to the surface also accounted for a large percentage of injuries. Absorbent surfaces other than concrete or asphalt were recommended to reduce the severity of injuries. In addition to making recommendations on playground surfaces, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has developed voluntary product safety standards for home and public playgrounds. Guidelines for safe playgrounds are discussed as well as suggestions concerning people to contact at local, state, and national levels for advice on playground design and safety.