PLAYING IT SAFESept. 1-7 is National Child Injury Prevention Week
WHAT: Each year approximately 211,000 preschool and elementary school children receive emergency department care for injuries that occur on playground equipment, according to statistics provided by the National Program for Playground Safety.
Tom Jambor, Ed.D., an expert on child development and playground safety and design at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, says that to prevent serious injuries, parents should make sure their child plays only on equipment that is age appropriate and within a hazard-free environment.
WHO: Tom Jambor, Ed.D., 205-934-9689, is an associate professor at UAB. He has designed more than 100 playgrounds in the United States and abroad. He is regional vice president for North America and the Caribbean for the International Association for the Child's Right to Play, the author of numerous articles on playgrounds and co-author of the "Playground Safety Manual."
"Children under the age of 2 aren't ready for playground equipment yet," Jambor said. "It's safer and better developmentally to have them play on areas with natural, soft-textured surfaces. Children ages 2 to 5 need age appropriate climbing apparatus, tricycles, swing seats that have straps and are enclosed, and plenty of running space. Children older than 5 can usually cope with standard elementary school equipment."
But: "Whatever the age, it's important for parents to make sure that the playground is inspected regularly for problems and that they supervise their children, especially the younger ones."
CALL: Call Gail Short, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-8931/[email protected]. Jambor will be available for interviews through Aug. 31.
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NOTE: We are UAB, the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Please use UAB on second reference. We are not to be confused with the University of Alabama, which is a separate, independent campus.
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