Ball D. Playground injuries: a scientific appraisal of popular concerns. 199122 | 13 A&E units in England & Wales. | A&E data LASS. | Total of 1812 cases recorded. Fractures accounted for 16.5% injuries, concussion for 1.4%. Playground injuries are relatively uncommon and certain safety measures may not be justifiable on cost terms. |
Edwards D. Tarzan swings. A dangerous new epidemic. 1991.23 | A&E attendance Sheffield. | Questionnaire. | 29 children with fractures, 90% to the upper limb. Homemade rope swings are associated with serious fractures. |
Bond M. The risk of childhood injury on Boston’s playground equipment and surfaces. 199324 | Playgrounds in Boston. | Single observer site visit/checklist. | Boston’s playgrounds are not adequately maintained or designed to reduce clear hazards. |
47 in final sample. |
Mott A et al. Patterns of injuries to children on public playgrounds. 1994.25 | A&E attendances, 0–14 years, Cardiff UK. | Questionnaire. | Fewer injuries overall than predicted on modern surfaces (not statistically significant). The profile of injury differed between surfaces. |
Playground survey. |
Playground inspectors recorded utilisation. |
Briss P et al. Injuries from falls on playgrounds. Effects of day care centre regulation and enforcement. 1994.26 | Day care centres across USA. Under 5s. | Probability sample. Telephone survey. | Injury rates lower on optimal but not on potentially resilient surfaces. The benefit of optimal surfaces increases with increasing height. |
Lillis K. Playground injuries in children. 1997.27 | CHIRRP data. | CHIRRP data extraction. | 289 injuries, fractures accounted for 28% and concussion for 3%. Climbing frame injuries accounted for 2/3 hospital admissions, most with UL fracture. Numbers were insufficient to comment on effect of surface (and no height data). |
Sample A&E units |
Mack M. A descriptive analysis of children’s playground injuries in the USA. 1990–9428 | Neiss data. | Neiss database samples 90 A&E units and produces estimates. | Neiss playground injury statistics can identify how and where children are injured, increase understanding and guide attempts to decrease injuries. |
90 emergency units in USA. |
Mayr J. Playground accidents. 1995.29 | 1–15 years attending Dept Paediatric Surgery. | Postal questionnaire (28% replied = 103). | Low response rate but 31% injuries were fractures or concussions, most on non-IAS. |
Chalmers D, Playground injury: the kids are still falling for it. 199930 | Hospital admissions in NZ. | School surveys 1997. | Trend for increased reporting of minor injuries. Fewer serious injuries seen on modern surfaces. |
NZ health information service statistical data. |
Waltzman M et al. Monkey Bar injuries. Complications of play. 1999.31 | Paed admission related to monkey bar falls to Boston trauma centre. Range 20 mth to 12 years. | Retrospective chart review. | High percentage of fractures (61%) reported. The majority were upper limb with supracondylar fractures accounting for 40% total. Fracture type was age dependent. |
Telephone survey. |
Children under 4 more likely to sustain long bone fracture. |
Surface did not influence injury type but no data on height. |
Bernardo LM. Playground injuries in children. A review and Pennsylvania trauma centre experience. 200132 | Admissions to Pennsylvania trauma centres. | Proforma. | Nurses can advocate for playground safety. |
CPSC Playground Injuries treated in US hospital emergency rooms. 200133 | Admissions to emergency rooms. | Information direct from emergency rooms. | Typical example of a yearly publication. |
Ball D. Playgrounds: risks, benefits and choices. Contract research report. 426/2002. Health and safety Executive 2002 | Presentations to LASS from a selection of Accident Departments. | From LASS Data Department of Trade and Industry. | Information 1988–98. |