Texas is known for its mild winters and warm summers. Many Texans take full advantage of this weather when they have young children and frequently take them outside to play and learn. In general, people expect that their children will be safe when on public property. In particular, people likely believe that places like playgrounds — that are designed with children in mind — are safe for children to play. However, this isn’t always the case.
This blog recently discussed the dangers of public pools for young children. The danger does not stop there. Public playgrounds can also be a source of injuries for children in Texas. Parents should keep these risks in mind as warmer weather hits this spring.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 200,000 children will be injured at a playground this year in incidents severe enough for the child to need to be taken to a hospital. These injuries can include concussions, dislocations, broken bones, internal injuries and even amputations. These serious injuries account for around 45 percent of all reported playground injuries. The CDC claims that public playgrounds — including those found in schools and daycares — are responsible for 75 percent of these serious, nonfatal injuries.
Fatal playground injuries, on the other hand, are more likely to occur on private play equipment. Strangulation accounted for the largest number — 82 percent — of fatal accidents. Falls accounted for 20 percent of playground deaths.
Children and parents need to be careful at public and private parks to avoid serious injuries. However, if an injury occurs, people should know their legal rights. If malfunctioning equipment, damaged surfaces or other dangerous property conditions caused the injury, the property owner may be held liable for damages. An attorney can help to further explain people’s legal rights.
