PATTERNS OF INJURIES TO CHILDREN ON PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS

The incidence and pattern of injuries to children in public playground s presenting to the accident and emergency department were reviewed ov er two six month summer periods in Cardiff A total of 178 children (me an age 7.5 years) attended with a playground injury representing 1.1% of all the children attending. One hundred and five children fell from equipment, of which the commonest was the climbing frame; 125 childre n had playground surface related injuries, 86 on bark and 30 on concre te. The pattern of injuries on the playground surfaces was different: fractures and sprains were more common on bark surfaces and laceration s and abrasions on concrete surfaces. Comparison of total injury rates showed there were fewer injuries on modernised playgrounds than expec ted but these differences were not significant. Modernised playgrounds are more popular, have new exciting equipment, and offer good play op portunities for children. However, the high fracture rate on modernise d bark playgrounds is concerning and requires further research.