Injuries Caused by Falls From Playground Equipment in the United States

Abstract

The objective of this study is to document the incidence of falls from playground equipment in the United States over time and to provide a detailed profile of the individuals injured in playground falls using several state and national databases. During the past decade, there has been a steep decline in the number of injuries treated in emergency departments caused by falls from playground equipment in the United States. Males, children between the ages of 5 to 9 years, and individuals from lower economic strata are overrepresented among those suffering an injury. Falls from monkey bars result in the greatest number of injuries (52%). Schools/day care centers and recreation areas each account for approximately 40% of injuries. The incidence of injuries occurring at home playgrounds has declined sharply in recent years. Fracture of the upper limb is the type of injury most often associated with a fall from playground equipment (43%).

Monkey Bar Dimensions Associated with Pediatric Upper Extremity Fractures Show Deviations from United States Product Safety Commission Recommendations

“…The strengths of our study include the use of chart review for data collection rather than utilizing databases [2][3]. Thus there was no concern for incorrect coding resulting in missed or incorrectly included cases.…”

“…They specifically noted that the number of injuries per year per capita owing to monkey bars was stable as compared to declining rates for swings and slides. This study, as well as a 2006 to 2014 analysis by Tuckel et al, conclude that continued efforts are needed to ensure that playgrounds constitute a safe environment for childhood recreation [3]. Accordingly, the Public Playground Safety Handbook published by the United States (US) Product Safety Commission provides suggestions as to the appropriate dimensions of monkey bar apparatuses, as well as space requirements and fall surface characteristics [4].…”

Safety of School Playgrounds: Field Analysis From a Randomized Sample

“…While recess offers opportunities for students to be physically and socially active, school nurses are well aware that unintentional injuries and incidents on the playground are common occurrences in the school setting. Playground injuries remain as one of the most frequently observed injury sources treated in hospital emergency departments (Adelson, Chounthirath, Hodges, Collins, & Smith, 2018;Phelan, Khoury, Kalkwarf, & Lanphear, 2001;Schwebel & Brezausek, 2014;Tuckel, Milczarski, & Silverman, 2017). Each year, 218,000 children are treated in emergency departments, with falls accounting for more than 75% of these injuries (Adelson et al, 2018;Hanway, 2016;Tuckel et al, 2017).…”

“…Playground injuries remain as one of the most frequently observed injury sources treated in hospital emergency departments (Adelson, Chounthirath, Hodges, Collins, & Smith, 2018;Phelan, Khoury, Kalkwarf, & Lanphear, 2001;Schwebel & Brezausek, 2014;Tuckel, Milczarski, & Silverman, 2017). Each year, 218,000 children are treated in emergency departments, with falls accounting for more than 75% of these injuries (Adelson et al, 2018;Hanway, 2016;Tuckel et al, 2017). Fractures, commonly of the upper extremity, comprise the largest single injury category of injury seen by emergency departments (>33%), with more than 75% of fractures attributed to falls (Adelson et al, 2018;Hanway, 2016;Tuckel et al, 2017).…”

“…Each year, 218,000 children are treated in emergency departments, with falls accounting for more than 75% of these injuries (Adelson et al, 2018;Hanway, 2016;Tuckel et al, 2017). Fractures, commonly of the upper extremity, comprise the largest single injury category of injury seen by emergency departments (>33%), with more than 75% of fractures attributed to falls (Adelson et al, 2018;Hanway, 2016;Tuckel et al, 2017).…”