Bid to improve playground safety

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