Unsafe playground equipment is often the culprit behind otherwise preventable injuries to children in South Carolina. These so-called "accidents" could more accurately be described as "the consequence of dangerous choices on the part of manufacturers." Whether your children like having fun on playground equipment at home, daycare, or a public playground, we encourage that the following steps be taken to limit the risk of injury:
1. Ensure the playground equipment is regularly inspected
If you have slides, monkey bars, or swings in your backyard, check for broken or loose equipment before your kids begin to climb and play. Likewise, if your children are in daycare, teachers should frequently inspect the playground equipment to prevent needless injuries.
2. Research the equipment manufacturer’s safety record
Similar to purchasing toys, you will want to find out as much as possible about the manufacturer. Does their playground equipment have a history of recalls and failures? Was the equipment made in a part of the world that adheres to proper safety standards? Accidents do happen, but more often harm is caused by a manufacturer putting profits ahead of safety.
3. Be sure the equipment is age and developmentally-appropriate
We are currently handling a case in Lancaster, South Carolina where a child nearly died to age and developmentally-inappropriate toys on a playground. In the same way age-inappropriate toys can cause harm, such playground equipment can do the same. For instance, a 5-year-old may have no trouble swinging across the monkey bars, yet the same piece of equipment may pose great danger to a 2 or 3-year-old child.
4. Make sure there is adult supervision on the playground
If your son or daughter is going to play at a friend’s house, get a guarantee from the friend’s parents that the kids will be supervised on the playground. In addition, ask your child’s daycare director or teacher what specific actions are taken each day to ensure proper supervision. For example, is cell phone use by teachers banned on the playground to limit distractions? Is only one child allowed to go down the slide at a time? Find out what safety rules the daycare has in place to ensure that an otherwise safe piece of equipment does not become a danger due to improper use or a lack of supervision.
Consult a South Carolina Child Injury Lawyer
Playground accidents are a frequent occurrence in South Carolina and across the nation. Many times, these accidents arise from normal child’s play. In other instances, however, serious injury results due to unsafe or inappropriate playground equipment. If your child was hurt on a playground, and you have questions about who is responsible for medical bills and other losses, we are here to provide answers and guidance. Call us today at 803-790-2800 for a free consultation. You may also start a live chat with us at any time. We look forward to speaking with you and seeing how we can help.