Reminder to parents to play it safe at public parks

The dandelions are finally blooming, perhaps spring has arrived. By the hundreds, children have been flocking to nearby Fairmount Park in Bangor and other parks across Maine, transported by beleaguered parents seeking a few moments of peace and quiet after a long winter of being cooped up inside.

In many cases, families place playground equipment in the backyard to help youngsters burn off some energy and explore new adventures with siblings or friends. Sadly, without proper maintenance and safety practices at these playgrounds, children can be at great risk for injury. Parents who recognize potential safety issues can create a safer play environment for their kids.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) states that more than 200,000 American children each year are injured severely enough on playground equipment to require emergency room treatment. The CPSC each spring recognizes National Playground Safety Week to bring attention to this problem. They also publish “The CPSC’s Handbook for Playground Safety,” which is available at their Web site. An updated version recognizing the changes in playground equipment will be available by the fall. There also is a separate publication on home playground equipment available.

Here are a few of the safety recommendations that Maine parents can practice to better protect the safety of their children:

. Always have adult supervision at the playground, particularly for younger children (so much for the anticipated peace and quiet). Children’s behavior can’t always be predicted, so someone needs to be attentive.

. Do not attach ropes, pet leashes, or other such items to the equipment because they pose a serious strangulation hazard. Clothing drawstrings also present strangulation hazards. Remove them or remove the garment while using playground equipment.

. Bike helmets are terrific while riding bicycles, but can be dangerous if worn on playground equipment where helmets can get caught in openings and strangle a child. This would apply to wearing other types of headgear as well. Equipment openings should be less than 31/2 inches or more than 9 inches.

. Check the equipment carefully for “S” hooks that need to be closed more, and make sure bolts or other protrusions are covered.

. Dirt and grass under the equipment is not adequate to prevent head injuries. A minimum of 9 to 12 inches of mulch, wood chips or similar material is required. Material also should extend a minimum of 6 feet in all directions from the equipment.

Playground safety has come a long way over the years. The days of public parks constructed of pressure-treated lumber (dangerous for a number of reasons beyond splinters) seem to be over. The new materials have much more plastic and rubber surface area and less exposed metal in an attempt to reduce injuries. The number of diverse activities on equipment also has greatly increased at our community playgrounds, which has the benefit of keeping children entertained for longer periods of time. Removing safety hazards can help ensure the uninterrupted sounds of children having summer fun.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership costs $25; business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). Write Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.