Investigation of the level of safety and appropriateness of playgrounds in Elazig city in Turkey

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify and evaluate the degree of appropriateness of children's playground standards and the level of compliance with the current safety specifications of the playgrounds in Elazig city in Turkey. This was accomplished by on-site observation and measurement in the total of 24 playgrounds present in this city centre. It was determined that 83.3% of the playgrounds were next to a street and in 60% of these playgrounds there were no fences or any barrier to keep children from running into the street. In 87.5% of playgrounds the surfacing was not in proper depth and good order. Separate playgrounds for different ages were provided in only 12.5% of the playgrounds. In 62.5% of the playgrounds children were supervised to make sure they were safe. There was unsafe equipment in 95.8% of the playgrounds. In 83.3% of the playgrounds there were sharp edges, pinch points, or playground debris that might injure a child. The findings of the present study indicate that nearly all of the playgrounds in Elaziğ city center do not meet the criteria for playground standards and are not in compliance with the current safety specifications and need improvement.

A systematic review of the risk factors and interventions for the prevention of playground injuries

“…In completing this systematic review, several studies were found that examined and reported on local and national compliance to playground standards. All of the studies found reported a significant lack of compliance (CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1999;Acik et al 2004;Allen et al 2013;Chalmers et al 2001;Cradock et al 2010;Hudson et al 2008;Kotch et al 2003;Martin and Cooper 2005;Pickett et al 1996;Sherker and Ozanne-Smith 2004;Sherker et al 2009;Uskun et al 2008). For example, in the study by Pickett et al (1996), playgrounds in the Kingston, Ontario, area were investigated for adherence to CSA standards using a standardized checklist.…”

Kamusal Çocuk Oyun Alanlarında Güvenliğin Avrupa Standartları Üzerinden Değerlendirilmesi

“…Bartın Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 2019, 21 (3) 665-684 667 amacıyla kurulan panayır vb. kamusal alanlarda kurulu, 6 ay-12 yaş arası çocukların kullanımı için tasarlanmış oyun donanımı olarak tanımlanabilmektedir (URL- 1,2015). Oyun alanında yaşanan tüm yaralanmaların %70'i düşerek zemine çarpamaya bağlıdır ve 0-4 yaş arasındaki çocukların %60'ı kafa ve yüz yaralanmalarıyla karşılaşmaktadır.…”

“…Oyun alanlarında çocuk güvenliğinin sağlanması, kullanıcılar için anlaşılabilir/öngörülebilir olmayan tehlikeleri ortadan kaldırarak risklerin en alt düzeye indirilmesi anlamını taşımaktadır. Genel güvenlik standardı TS EN 1176-1'e göre çocukların öngöremeyeceği tehlikeleri yaratan hususlardan bazıları; uygun olmayan koruyucu yüzey, oyun elemanlarının güvenlik alanlarının yetersiz olması, keskin çıkıntı ve kenarlar, kafa ve diğer uzuvların yakalanması, oyun alanının kalabalık olması, oyun zemininde takılmaya sebep olabilecek beklenmedik engeller, yetişkin gözetimi eksikliği, bakım eksikliği olarak sıralanabilmektedir (TS EN 1176- 1,2010…”

Outdoor Environment and Outdoor Activities in Early Childhood Education

“…In contrast to the studies in early childhood education field, investigating children's playgrounds concentrated on their different aspects is insistently popular among the researchers from the field of landscape architectures. For the most part, research has focused on the issues (1) the qualities of children's playgrounds in terms of safety of playgrounds' arrangement and the equipment they have (Açık, Gülbayrak & Turaci-Çelik, 2004;Akkulah, 2008;Cihangiroğlu, 1994;Özgüç, 1998;Üskün, Kişioğlu, Altay, Çıkınlar & Kocakaya, 2008;Yılmaz & Bulut, 2007), and (2) the quantity of children's playgrounds (Tekkaya, 2001;Yılmaz & Bulut, 2003). Although they are many in number, most of the studies in the field of landscape architecture are limited with just investigating the physical characteristics, particularly emphasizing the safety concern, of the outdoor environments as far away from considering educational goals and objectives for young children.…”