Citation

Tuckel P, Milczarski W, Silverman DG. Clin. Pediatr. 2018; 57(5): 563-573.

Affiliation

Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0009922817732618

PMID

28969430

Abstract

The objective of this study is to document the incidence of falls from playground equipment in the United States over time and to provide a detailed profile of the individuals injured in playground falls using several state and national databases. During the past decade, there has been a steep decline in the number of injuries treated in emergency departments caused by falls from playground equipment in the United States. Males, children between the ages of 5 to 9 years, and individuals from lower economic strata are overrepresented among those suffering an injury. Falls from monkey bars result in the greatest number of injuries (52%). Schools/day care centers and recreation areas each account for approximately 40% of injuries. The incidence of injuries occurring at home playgrounds has declined sharply in recent years. Fracture of the upper limb is the type of injury most often associated with a fall from playground equipment (43%).

Language: en

Keywords

emergency department; epidemiology; falls; injuries; playground equipment; playground safety; prevention