OPINION Unexpected danger

A Canadian Medical Association report released last week paints a disturbingly unsafe picture of Canada's public playgrounds. The CMA warns parks are dangerous places where thousands of unnecessary, preventable childhood injuries occur each year. How many? Safe Kids Canada, a project of Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, estimates playground injuries result in about 20,000-30,000 emergency room visits each year. More than a third of all treated injuries to children take place in public parks; while 67 per cent of injuries to children are caused by falls. "Something as common as a drawstring on a jacket can put a child at risk of being strangled if it gets caught in playground equipment," said CMA President Dr. Colin McMillan. "But there is also just the danger of children underestimating risk and over-estimating their ability. Particularly with younger children, parents should always supervise playground visits." While some playground accidents are the result of poorly-designed equipment and others are blamed on daredevil behaviour, the CMA maintains most playground accidents are avoidable. Parents need to stay close to small children-- play along with them-- and encourage older children to use equipment as it's intended. The Canadian Standards Association has voluntary standards for playgrounds and research shows they work when followed. In one Toronto study safe equipment was installed in 89 school playgrounds; while 229 schools kept older equipment. The schools with safer playgrounds reduced injuries by 49 per cent. Local residents can help raise standards of local playgrounds by helping parent councils when they are fundraising for better playgrounds. The McKenzie-Smith Bennett parent council for example is having such an event tomorrow, 5-7 p.m. (See page 10). Its wooden playground was torn down last year due to safety concerns, and now more than 600 children are without a playground. Buy a hot dog, and keep the children safe.