Mother Nature Runs the Playground

Author: Austin Stanfel

Do you remember those playgrounds with the metal slides two stories high and the concrete under the monkey bars? There’s a reason those are a sight of the past. The weather is playing a more substantial role in the design of modern-day playgrounds. According to the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s, metal surfaces on playgrounds can cause second-degree burns. These injuries account for a portion of the over 200,000 emergency room visits per year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) does not recommend metal surfaces anymore; however, that does not mean they do not exist. Parents and guardians must be aware of surfaces that can be too hot.

Surface temperature is not the only risk Mother Nature imposes, though. The heat is a risk by itself even before it hits the surface of the playground. Not all playgrounds are located near shades. The AAA State of Play stresses the importance of shade structures for protecting children and their parents from harmful UV rays. They even explain how important this is during the cloudy and cool months because UV rays can still be detrimental to skin cells.

Mother Nature is relentless because UV Rays aren’t the only danger during the cooler months, either. While it may be easier to play because surfaces are no longer scorching, the ground is also much harder. The CPSC has guidelines regarding surface safety for head impact. According to a study on the dangers of frozen playground surfaces, it is safer to crash in a car going 40 mph than to fall 2 feet onto frozen wood mulch, a common playground surface. They explain how some surfaces which are safe in the summer, like wood mulch, can become dangerous in the winter. If the surface is able to absorb water, that means that when it gets below 32 Fahrenheit, the water can freeze and cause the surface to be like landing on ice.

Now, while most playground injuries are due to falls, the other risks imposed by heat and cold can be eliminated with increasingly popular indoor playgrounds. This is a way to keep Mother Nature from interrupting playtime. There is protection from UV rays, wind, rain, snow, and temperature. The surface may still pose a risk, but there will always be some risk at the playground. Most experts believe the benefits still do outweigh the risks. However, parents and guardians should always use their best judgement when picking a playground. Mother Nature does not always have to be in control.

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