RT Journal
T1 PLayground-related injuries in preschool-aged children—united states, 1983-1987
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1989
FD January 1
VO 143
IS 1
SP 125
OP 126
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150130135035
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150130135035
AB FROM 1983 to 1987, nearly 6.72 million emergency room visits in the United States were for product-related injuries among preschool children 1-4 years old.* Approximately 305,000 (4.5%) of these injuries involved playground equipment. These playground equipment-related injuries occurred most frequently at home (38.3%), in sports or recreation settings (29.4%), or at school (8.9%). Of the 82,108 injuries in preschool-aged children attending day care (coded as occurring at school), 27,232 (33.2%) were related to playground equipment.Most preschool-aged children with injuries involving school playground equipment were 3 or 4 years old and male. A higher proportion of playground-related injuries occurred in the spring than at other times of the year. Forty percent of playground-related injuries were associated with climbing apparatus, and two thirds of injuries were to the head and neck.Lacerations (38.5%), contusions or abrasions (26.8%), fractures (16.8%), strains or sprains (4.4%), and concussions (1.7%) were most commonly reported. Head