Playgrounds should be places of joy, laughter, and physical activity for children. However, too many times they also become the site of severe playground injuries. Here at ER Injury Attorneys, our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers are dedicated to protecting families from harm by sharing the top 4 playground hazards to be aware of.
Top 4 Playground Hazards to Watch Out For
Here are the top 4 playground hazards we’ve seen and helped our clients with over the years, in no particular order:
1. Insufficient Protective Surfacing
The single greatest cause of playground injury is slip and falls, and if the ground surface is not able to absorb the shock of a fall, the injury can often be serious.
What to Look For:
- Concrete, asphalt, or packed dirt
- Grass or turf that isn’t soft enough
- Rounded rubber matting or loose-fill surface that’s too shallow
Common Injuries:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractures
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
To reduce the risk, playgrounds should be fitted with impact-absorbing surfaces like rubber mulch, engineered wood fiber, or poured-in-place rubber. These surfaces can significantly decrease the force of a fall and are also recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
2. Protrusion and Entanglement Hazards
Another hidden danger on most playgrounds is from inadequately built or worn-out equipment. Exposed bolts, open hooks, or loose hardware can catch on kids’ clothing or jewelry and lead to serious accidents.
What to Look For:
- Uncapped bolts or screws
- Gaps or hooks in chains
- Frayed ropes or cables
- Open “S” hooks on swings
Common Injuries:
- Cuts and abrasions
- Torn clothing
- Finger injuries
- Strangulation, in extreme cases
Premises liability could come into play if playground equipment isn’t checked regularly for sharp edges and any objects that could snag, trap, or catch a child’s clothing.
3. Entrapment Hazards
Entrapment dangers are especially dangerous because they can easily escape detection–until it’s too late. These occur when there is a large enough hole in playground equipment for a child’s head or limbs to fit through but too small for them to escape.
What to Look For:
- Spaces between 3.5 and 9 inches wide
- Spaces between rails or between ladder rungs
- Traps with no obvious means of escape
Common Injuries:
- Trauma to the head
- Dislocated joints
- Suffocation
It only takes a matter of seconds for a child to become entrapped, panic, and injure themselves–or worse. Playground designers and maintenance staff must adhere to strict safety guidelines that regulate spacing and opening dimensions in order to prevent these potentially fatal incidents.
4. Poor Equipment Spacing
Even the safest equipment is hazardous if it’s placed too close to other equipment. Insufficient space can cause collisions between children, especially where there’s heavy traffic like on slides, swings, or climbing gear.
What to Look For:
- Overcrowded play areas
- Inadequate clearance around moving equipment (like swings)
- Lack of separation between toddler and older-child areas
Common Injuries:
- Head bumps and facial trauma
- Sprains and fractures
- Internal injuries from blunt collisions
A well-designed playground will have open areas, adequate space between play equipment, and lines of sight that allow adults to monitor children easily. Where there is little space, children bump into each other–or get struck by moving equipment.
Contact a Las Vegas Playground Injuries Attorney
The Las Vegas injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys are here with the information you need on playground hazards. We’re also here for you if your child has suffered playground injuries. Our dedicated team of Nevada injury attorneys is ready to help with the claim process and get you the compensation you need.
ER Injury Attorneys is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach us right now by dialing 702-878-7878 or online through LiveChat. You can also fill out this contact form. ER Injury Attorneys represents accident victims throughout Southern Nevada, including Henderson, Summerlin, Pahrump, Boulder City, Laughlin, and beyond. Get in touch with us today to get the legal advocacy you need.