Urban children risk exposure to hazardous playground equipment frequently situated above unsafe surfacing material. Report broken or unsafe playground equipment. Ensure the spacing between swings on a swing-set is at least 24 inches wide, with at least 30 inches between the swing and the support frame. For most parents, the thought of their children being injured on the playground is a long-standing fear. Unsafe playgrounds. It just depended on whether you wanted to throw up on bystanders, or the other people on the ride with you. KIds were definitely stronger and tougher back then. Thankfully, there are actions you can take to prevent playground injuries. It sounds like we read the same research on Adventure Playgrounds! Select equipment and surfacing which meets the Standards. Now here’s the same kind of old-school structure as shown above, but at this old playground in Boston, it was made out of wood. Below, take a look back at the fun and games that children got up to during the 20th century — in the unsafe playground days long before plastic slides, rubber mats and safety rails (not to mention government guidelines and personal injury lawsuits) were commonplace. Its continued management and the provision of high quality inspection and maintenance programmes are essential if safe opportunities for children to play creatively are to be preserved. Inspect these pieces for pinch points that can cause crush injuries. Indeed — in part, they made it a better place by replacing some of this scary old playground equipment — like the slideless slides and the spinning barrels — with what has evolved into the brightly-colored plastic playgrounds of today. The concept was like other spinners with kid-powered motion, except this required the boys and girls to make it move by using the pedals. Learn how your comment data is processed. 14 / 18 . Sorry lady, just because it didn’t happen to you, or in front of you, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen fairly regularly to others. Thanks for your feedback, and I’m sorry you didn’t like this article content. I do think, however, that there is a reason playground safety has evolved over time (although, of course, injuries still happen today). To be honest I rarely see kids play on the “modern” playgrounds. Playground Management Strategy 1. I’m on a Village council here in the UK and in the process of updating one of our play areas. It's a great idea to get with a playground professional to determine how much, if any, of your existing equipment should be repaired or removed completely. Playground monitors have been trained to look not only for equipment concerns, but other field-related issues like gopher holes, snakes, rises in sidewalk concrete due to tree roots and other items. All rights reserved. Full text Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version. Therefore, it is important … Stratford Landing playground structure no longer to be off-limits to students - The Washington Post. Mark off the equipment as unsafe so children do not risk injury. Remember Vintage Lip Lickers flavored lip glosses from the ’70s & ’80s? We'll inspect the broken equipment and try to make it safe as soon as possible. For example, Playground Outfitters employs CPSIs as part of their commitment to serving their customers with safe playground equipment. How interesting! Also, FYI, many of the crowded photos of kids sitting astride slides and atop monkey bars are actually group photos. That doesn’t make it a good parenting strategy. What you want to avoid at all costs are those conditions that could easily cause more serious injuries to your child, such as equipment failure or improper installation. Report inherently dangerous pieces ofequipment to SaferProducts.gov to spread awareness of the issue and prevent other children from injury. Today’s playgrounds by comparison seem sterile- safe, but boring as heck. Fun set of pictures, thanks! 1.4 SUBMITTALS Any alternate product … This article was so fun to read and I love the pictures! ⦿. Certain playground structures, such as swings and slides, may require an even greater protective perimeter. ), … which looks like this without the kids…. III. As a reporter you are not supposed to be subjective, only objective. This old piece — which looks kind of like giant knitting needles — functioned like a teeter-totter, except you hung on from below instead of sitting on it. If you notice any of the safety hazards mentioned above during your regular playground inspection, then you need to take care of it as soon as possible. I’m 73 years old and recognize some of these, although many are from my grandparents time. We'll inspect the broken equipment and try to make it safe as soon as possible. 1. With chains that long, can you imagine how much lift you could get on this one? To report broken or unsafe playground equipment: Email us and include the name of the playground and describe what's broken or unsafe. Yes, many of the kids are smiling, and no doubt were having a lot of fun! You/your child were using the playground equipment as it was intended / instructed / reasonably expected. They replaced it with a tiny, useless version of itself. Many parents encourage their children to play outside to get some fresh air and keep active. The ones that I don’t see now definitely existed when I was a kid 15 years ago. “Take average children, brimful of the primal instinct to develop through play, provide for them proper playgrounds fitted with modern playground equipment; and tomorrow, they will step forth vigorous, healthy, clear-thinking men and women — to make the world a better place to live in.”. The ad for this spinner said, “There is plenty of action, bringing into play every muscle in the child’s body.”. You probably weren’t even there, so how would you know. Council recognises that parks and playgrounds can represent a high level of risk to members of the public, especially children. The cushioned ground surface must extend at least 6 feet beyond the perimeter of all equipment. It is very easy to overheat during physical activity, and then quickly cool down to an uncomfortably cool temperature in brisker weather. Fast forward to the Bronx in the ’40s, and we see what it looks like to get about 100 kids on a jungle gym. Many of the items in your list still exist in the UK and Europe! Hello darkness, my old friend. Here are some girls getting fit at Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, way back in June 1911. The first thing that caught our eye in the photos up there is this thing: parallel poles pretending to be a slide. Keep their hands to themselves at all times. Take turns. We’ve compiled a list of tips for indoor playground safety to get you started on the path to safer play design: ... since the same piece of equipment can be safe for an older child and unsafe for a toddler. Manufacturers and Inspectors of the Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) are amongst those that will be able to assist in this. You can also get our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook & Pinterest, plus see retro-inspired products in our shop. Public playground equipment installed in the play areas of parks, schools, childcare facilities, institutions, multiple family dwellings, restaurants, resorts, and recreational developments, and other areas of public use. And the kids almost certainly responded, “Faster! Maybe because someone had to call emergency services when little Timmy fell from the top, and hit all the tiers on the way down? Unsafe playgrounds. If you look closely enough, though, you can see ropes or chains that prove he’s just on a swing. Category Entertainment; Show more Show less. You see it hosting about 40 kids who were up to all kinds of crazy shenanigans… including just hanging out 20 feet above the ground. Do I go outside? These photo from the early 1900s — showing a bunch of kids playing on sprawling steel pole playground equipment at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania’s Mount Washington Park — pretty much epitomize the risky business of play just over a hundred years ago. ASTM F1551: Standard Test Methods for Comprehensive Characterization of Synthetic Turf Surfaces and Materials: Part 6: Water Permeability of Synthetic Turf Systems and Permeable Bases. Covered as much as shorts under dresses do now. IntroductionEach year about 200,000 children suffer significant injuries related to the use of playground equipment. Quit trying to be ultra dramatic and pretend it’s so foreign. Seriously — this was created for kids to have nice, safe fun? LATE 1970’S//EARLY TO MID 1980’S WOOD LOG PLAYGROUNDS WERE COOL …BETTER THEN THE HIGH TEC FANCY ONES THAY HAVE IN-TODAYS WORLD. We count about 25 kids on this gym, and it looks pretty full. (Millenniums lol). Sign up for our free weekly newsletter here. So much for survival of the fittest. The thousands of people who didn’t survive the playgrounds of yesteryear, though, aren’t here to remind us how good we really do have it here in the 21st century. Scissors . Great compilation! We aim to respond within 30 minutes to any emergency problems or hazards you report. For real: On sunny days, and without shade, temperatures on these metal slides could get up past 160 degrees. In my view, it is good that playgrounds are safer now but there are drawbacks to not allowing for the freedom of individual risk-taking. There is some research showing that contemporary playgrounds are so “safe” that children are injured trying to eke out risk from them. Toys, roots, and rocks can cause children to trip and fall while playing. I did a lot of research, and also spent plenty of time on hot slides and huge jungle gyms. II. When it comes to human history, “survival of the fittest” meant more than just our prehistoric evolution. 7. The modern Witches Hat (called the ocean wave here) are really, really popular as are the spinners (we call them Gally Spins)! The accident statistics show that injuries as a result of accidents occur for several reasons New playground equipment is scheduled to be Find out more here. We had always called it “the ding dongs” but I see it is actually called a “Giant Stride.” It was there until maybe the early 1980s, along with metal baby swings that must have weighed 20lbs each! Yep. disclaimer | google+. Guides are filled with information and tips that adults should follow when taking their children to play on outdoor equipment. This article should be about the history of the playground, not your own opinion of how dangerous you “think” they were. Those jungle gyms taught us about the values and dangers of freedom. (They were actually called “incline poles” or “sliding poles.”) We can see no danger whatsoever from this kind of contraption. Banned equipment: There is some playground equipment that has been deemed a hazard in recent years, but that doesn't mean it's all been removed from each playground. 14 / 18 . Wet equipment can cause children to slip and fall, especially if they are wearing shoes without good treads. Vintage ’80s cruises: See what Princess, Carnival & other cruise ships used to look like, 19th century San Francisco skyline: From a brand-new city to busy metropolis, Get the $40,000 prize-winning apple nut lattice tart recipe (1986), ’65 Chevrolet station wagons: Impala, Chevy II & Chevelle, 6 easy old-fashioned ways to deliciously decorate store-bought cakes, How the railroads first crossed America, from Atlantic to Pacific, The Fallacy of the ‘I Turned Out Fine’ Argument, George Eastman House: The Kodak inventor’s mansion & photography museum in Rochester, New York, Libby’s pumpkin pie recipe: Find out how to make the classic homemade pie, Thanksgiving dinner recipes from the Colonial days, as described in 1902, Vintage Portlandia: See scenes from old Portland, Oregon from the ’30s & ’40s, Vintage Busch Gardens: See the theme park in Tampa, Florida through the 20th century, 30 vintage cake mixes you don’t see anymore, Print Color Fun: Free coloring pages & more fun for kids, Quotes Quotes Quotes: 1000s of clever & inspiring quotations, FindersFree.com: Find answers to life’s little questions. But it's important to make sure that faulty equipment, improper surfaces, and unsafe behavior don't ruin the fun. Ultimate Parents’ Guide To Outdoor Playground Equipment . Sadly, I never had the chance to play on some of the mega-playgrounds shown. Some unsafe equipment to watch for includes; heavy swings, like the large plastic or metal-like animal swings, climbing ropes, swinging rings, trapeze bars, and monkey bars. Was the above photo too tame? Fewer and fewer kids are getting to play king of the castle these days, as most wooden playground equipment is giving way to colorful plastic that won't leave splinters in little hands or require as much upkeep. Walk around a playground before your child starts to play to determine if there are any unsafe areas. And whenever they do use them they use them in their own risky ways – like climbing on the roofs above the slide tops. Playground owners can use the CSA as another resource when designing and installing a safe playground. Around Playground Equipment. During the COVID-19 crisis, Panish Shea & Boyle LLP attorneys are working and available to discuss your case with you. They would rather find a nice ditch and play with some bricks and wooden lats than slide down the 5 feet plastic slides twice in a row. A safe playground has protective barriers on all elevated surfaces. All hazards should be dealt with immediately I’m glad I stumbled across this site while searching for something else! Playground equipment at home; Safety suggestions for your backyard playground include: Ensure equipment is suitable for the age and abilities of your children. Or back out of it?). Unsafe playground structures can even lead to death. Often times, the driving force behind a new playground project is the need to replace old, unsafe playground equipment. Playground falls. Capturing the passion and energy students and parents have, and having clear communication are fundamental elements that are needed to help you raise funds. Listen and follow instructions from the teacher. Which playground surfacing you choose depends on the purpose of your playground, the type of equipment you purchase and your budget. This piece of old playground equipment was called a “Rocking Boat.” We wonder how often it capsized. Would that work on the “plastic” slide to make it slicker? And while I appreciate your perspective, and hear your argument, I absolutely do not appreciate you telling me “shame on you.” I have done nothing remotely shameful, and honestly don’t understand why you’re so angry at a stranger about an article topic that may have some degree of personal meaning to you, but is not actually about you or your choices, past or present. Safe ground materials should extend at least six feet beyond the equipment’s perimeter. Ste 700Los Angeles, Ca 90025, 5160 Birch St. Ste 210Newport Beach, Ca 92660, 17500 Red Hill Ave. Ste 100Irvine, Ca 92614, ©2021 panish shea & boyle. Ingrid Mezo (2/9) The removal of unsafe playground equipment from three Thurmont parks is nearly complete, Commissioner Wayne Hooper said Tuesday. “A delightful device for the smaller children, particularly, and one that is thoroughly safe. Two people would ride and a third would grab one of the swings inner chain and spin the swings by pulling from the center pole. Your local Playworld representative is happy to help you choose the best playground surface material that is right for your specific needs. Thank you, Click Americana, for creating this very interesting page. Town removes unsafe playground equipment Community Park will get updated first, due to central location. About 70% of these injuries are from falls, with most associated with the use of “climbers.” 2. At “Adventure Playgrounds” the goal is: “as safe as necessary” not “as safe as possible.” This an idea that is more conducive to learning. First, though, it’s important to note that on this site, I am not a news reporter — I am a curator, editor, feature writer, and historical researcher. 2. Use playground structure only when the teacher is present. After sliding down the cellar door, a slide made of a plank is about as low-tech (and as low-speed) as you could get. a medical journal wrote of some of the danger: Charlie Chaplin: The life story of a legend, in interviews, articles, video & photos, LA story: See authentic video of Los Angeles in the ’50s (1954), Elizabeth Montgomery couldn’t be happier – plus see 20 classic photos of the Bewitched actress. Preventing injuries from playground equipment. Swings, slides, playground climbers, see saws, merry-go-rounds, spring riders, and tubes are the basics. More like barrel leading to breaks and bumps and bruises. Sound unsafe? As such, I am entitled to an opinion. Don't be overwhelmed by the multitude of playground equipment names. Since this site is all about Americana, it seems fair enough to reflect the history and perspectives of Americans, does it not? Don’t fall on each other, kids. But calls are now growing for one playground-favourite to be scrapped from Australian parks entirely. Perhaps today’s children are being deprived of important lessons. There is no specific legal responsibility to provide inspection and maintenance programmes but such procedures are recommended by the Department for National Heritage and the Welsh Office, t… Playgrounds should not have any animal droppings on surfaces or in the sandbox. The playground equipment is defective, unsafe, or otherwise dangerous. I've covered a few so far in my report, but here are the rest. Spills or standing water can also cause slip and fall accidents. Get a printable copy (PDF file) of the complete article (2.0M), or click on a page image below to browse page by page. The surface material under the equipment should be able to cushion a child's fall. All girls wore skirts to school then, the teachers would freak, take her inside, give her a couple of swats and make her stay inside for the rest of the day. Sure, the ground was just dirt, but that was probably safer than concrete. 7 Playground Photos That Will Strike Fear in the Heart of ’80s Teachers. The model pictured [below] is capable of handling 100 children at a time — the only thing being necessary is space to set it up.”. Note: This article may feature affiliate links to Amazon or other companies, and purchases made via these links may earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you. I was trying to describe 21 and 22 to my kids and to my surprise I was spot-on with the description when I found the pictures here. Type of Equipment and Surfacing Material Playground materials that children come into contact with using their hands and feet have recorded temperatures of up to 189°F, which can burn a child’s skin in less than three seconds. I’m 18 as of now, but they look fun! When it was very hot, we sat on an old towel or rag of some sort and to keep it slick we sat on a waxy bread wrapper or some waxed paper before sliding down. There is a national list of CPSIs that are available to help test your playground. Fundraising can sometimes take time, so it is important to maintain commitment and motivation in the school community. Maintenance crews should repair any loose parts, holes in fencing, and protruding sharp objects. A broken bone or strained muscle served as a leaning tool for the next time we were on the structure. One type of merry-go-round (roundabout) was where there was a circular rotating bench with a stationary wheel in the middle. Upper Lachlan Shire staff closed playground equipment at four parks because the equipment failed safety inspections. Way up. Whether you call them see-saws or teeter-totters, they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. I agree that an article about the history of the playground would be a good thing to have on the site — but that is not what this story was intended to be. We had a blast had no idea the danger we were exposed to…and yes, drinking from water hoses!! Thanks for visiting! I’m 20 and I clearly remember being a kid and playing on a super tall climbring structure with my friends and it was absolutely fantastic. Interestingly, I find it somewhat ironic that many people I talk with who are avid Darwinists are also staunchly against any type of playground equipment that could possibly injure a child in any way whatsoever. What to Do If Your Playground Equipment Is Broken or Damaged. From bullies to weapons being brought to school and even defective playground equipment, school injuries occur at an alarming rate. 1. Playground surfacing should extend at least 6 feet in all directions from playground equipment. Click here to learn more. 2. For example, the Giant Stride was pretty common, but its name is only visible in the caption for one of the old photos. I read a fascinating article from the Atlantic a few years ago called The Overprotected Kid that there are actually more playground injuries today than pre-1980s because kids had to learn to be more careful when playing on concrete and asphalt. Public playground equipment installed in the play areas of parks, schools, childcare facilities, institutions, multiple family dwellings, restaurants, resorts, and recreational developments, and other areas of public use. There should be no dangerous debris on the playground, such as sharp sticks, pieces of metal, or broken glass. Required fields are marked *. Sure, there were bound to be some breaks, bumps and bruises among the survivors — but, based on the simple fact that you’re reading this right now, your ancestors clearly made it through childhood with their personal equipment intact. It’s interesting though when you look at all the children in the photos they are all smiling! Even worse: Your child's clothing can catch on these protrusions, increasing the odds of strangulation or other accidents, warns Olsen. At the same time, can we really protect kids from every danger or risk? Source: Photos courtesy the US Library of Congress, vintage editions of The Playground magazine, antique manufacturer catalogs and as otherwise noted. The safety of children on their playgrounds does not depend solely upon the initial design of the site and the selection of equipment. And we even drank water from the garden hose. The cushioned ground surface must extend at least 6 feet beyond the perimeter of all equipment. How would I know? I loved the merry-go-round, (even when I fell while pushing it), and the swings. 2 – a whole playground in itself. I remember being thrown off of a merry-go-round many times, and learning how to fall properly to avoid injury. Would be more interesting if the names of equipment were mentioned. The ground should be covered in materials such shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or mulch. Are we teaching kids that others are responsible for what they do? Children are most often injured in a fall. This was apparently a popular configuration for a swingset — sorry, we mean a “heavy-duty outdoor gymnasium.” (Not even gonna comment on what the “split clamp fittings” may or may not do.). The British Standard EN 1176 covers playground equipment. To me the staying inside was the worst part, but then the next week she would do it again. The playground equipment taught us to be more thoughtful and to think at least one step ahead. But that doesn’t negate the premise of the story. Even the best surface materials are unsafe for falls greater than 12 feet. While more research is needed to better understand playground injuries, there are steps you can take now. In this clip you will get information about types of playground equipment that should not be used by children on playgrounds and the reasons why not. Looks like they were having a busy day at the Zabriskie Playground in Jersey City, New Jersey back in 1910 or so. The Top 10 Dangerous School Items 10. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. After all, we are the lucky ones. Sneakers, especially, can become very slippery on wet or damp climbers and playground equipment. Wet playground equipment, especially rungs and climbers, can be comfortable and can also be unsafe. Playground injuries can occur at schools, daycares, city parks, private homes, and anyplace else with a play structure or play area meant for children.