More than 38,000 children have to go to hospital each year because of accidents on playgrounds, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
David Yearley, play safety manager at RoSPA, said that while many accidents are unavoidable because of the way children play, everything possible should be done to ensure play areas are well managed.
"About 15 per cent of falls are due to children tripping over small projections and unevenness in surfacing, which is inexpensive to remedy," he said.
RoSPA has launched a new awards scheme aimed at making children’s play areas safer.
RoSPA’s Play Operator Awards will be judged according to commitment to play, staff competence, and maintenance and inspection procedures. Any organisation running play areas can apply.
• For more information, see www.rospa.com/playawards
