Stating that the toys and equipment of a safe children's park should be made of plastic material to prevent children from being harmed, OHS Expert Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “The ground, on the other hand, should be made of rubber material to prevent children from being injured. Sand surfaces should not be preferred as they can cause falls, injuries, and infections.”
Experts also warn that toys such as swings, seesaws, climbing rope equipment, and trampolines in playgrounds should undergo regular mechanical maintenance, and faulty or damaged parts should be replaced immediately.
Dr. Rüştü Uçan, Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar University, and Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen, made evaluations regarding safety in children's parks.
Parks should be free from elements that can pose a danger!
Stating that playgrounds have a critical importance in the physical, mental, and psychological development of children, Dr. Rüştü Uçan noted that these areas must be safe and healthy, free from elements that could pose a danger to children.
Dr. Rüştü Uçan stated that playgrounds should be surrounded by a natural fence or wall of approximately 1.5 meters, considering sudden child run-outs, and their entrance should be clearly marked with a gate. He added, “Depending on its size, a part of the park should be grass and natural trees. If there are fruit trees in this area, attention should be paid to their spraying. Also, trees that could cause poisoning should not be planted here. The sandpits where children play, and the toys there, should be sturdy. They should be safe against falls.”
Compliance with EU standards is optional
Referring to the standards for children's playgrounds, Dr. Rüştü Uçan emphasized that the European Union BS EN1176 and 1177 standards are comprehensive standards covering all aspects of the design, installation, and maintenance of playground equipment for children, and that compliance with these standards is optional but seen as a way to ensure the safety of children using playground equipment.
Pointing out that playgrounds, which are of critical importance in children's physical, mental, and psychological development and their lives, should be designed as safe areas that support children's needs and development, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “‘TS EN 1176 Playground Equipment and Surfacing Safety Rules,’ a European standard on playground safety, covers general safety rules related to equipment and ground arrangements.”
How should the playground surface be?
Stating that the toys and equipment of a safe children's park should be made of plastic material to prevent children from being harmed, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “The ground, on the other hand, should be made of rubber material to prevent children from being injured. Sand surfaces should not be preferred as they can cause falls, injuries, and infections. Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that sand surfaces can easily become defecation areas for animals like cats and dogs.”
How to prevent injuries in playgrounds?
Dr. Rüştü Uçan also suggested that parents should ensure children's clothes are made of cotton fabric instead of synthetic fabric to prevent static electricity in playgrounds, and continued:
“The playground injury prevention framework consists of four elements that form the foundation of safe playgrounds: S = Supervision. A = Appropriate Environments. F = Fall Surface. E = Equipment Maintenance. Improper surfacing material beneath playground equipment and toys is a leading cause of playground-related injuries. More than 79% of all accidents in playgrounds result from children falling. There are many surfacing materials, such as rubber, that provide protection against falls.
Additionally, warning signs under the title 'Basic Rules for Child Safety in the Playground' should be present. For example, 'No pushing, shoving, or rough play,' 'No running on wet surfaces,' 'No climbing on equipment not intended for climbing,' 'Do not wear loose or dangling clothing or accessories that could get caught on equipment,' 'Do not play with broken or damaged toys,' and so on.”
Toys should be resistant to breakage and spills
Dr. Rüştü Uçan also pointed out the need for adequate environmental safety in roller skating or ice skating areas and the preference for cotton clothing to help prevent static electricity that may arise from friction, stating, “Children's parks should be enclosed by a natural fence or wall of approximately 1.5 meters. Such areas should be monitored 24 hours a day with computer-supported security cameras, they should be lit at night, and the security gate should be closed after a certain hour in the evening. Toys made of plastic should be resistant to breakage and spills, and protected against the risk of falls.”
How should maintenance work be carried out in playgrounds and parks?
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist and Chemical Engineer Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen also drew attention to maintenance work in playgrounds and parks, stating, “Toys such as swings, seesaws, climbing rope equipment, and trampolines in playgrounds should undergo regular mechanical maintenance, and faulty or damaged parts should be replaced immediately. If there are any underground electrical leaks, they should be detected and repaired, attention should be paid to the risk of rotting wooden poles, and traffic safety should be ensured around the park. Such parks should constantly be under the supervision of municipal occupational safety specialists and workplace physicians.”
Children's Playground Inspections
Lecturer Mustafa Cüneyt Gezen also emphasized the official rules that must be applied to playgrounds where children play and interact for long periods, stating, “These are the rules that must be followed regarding issues concerning children's safety, such as the material from which playgrounds are built, the design of the materials, the material used for the ground, and so on. After construction, parks must be checked at regular intervals and their safety ensured. There should never be high-voltage electrical poles in parks.”