Our Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers Discuss Important Playground Safety Tips
Recently, a tragic playground accident claimed the life of a young Georgia girl. The five year old from Newton County was playing on the monkey bars when her body became wedged in between the bars, while her feet dangled. The position cut off her oxygen and the young girl died of asphyxiation. The death has been ruled an accident, and the entire community is saddened and mourning this young girl whose life was ended too soon.
At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys are deeply saddened to hear about the death of this Georgia girl while playing on the playground. We know that playgrounds are generally safe, fun places for children, but at times serious accidents can occur at playgrounds nationwide. We offer the following playground safety tips in an effort to help keep your child safe:
Supervision is a Must
It is critical that you actively supervise your children or all children in your care while they play on the playground. While it can be tempting for tired patients to allow children free roam, this can result in accidents, especially for younger children. Check the playground where your child is about to play, looking for known hazards, such as broken equipment, rusted metal, and other dangers. Teach your children about safe playground behavior, which includes no shoving or pushing. Dress your children appropriately for the playground, including removing necklaces, drawstrings, scarves, and other items that can pose a strangulation hazard.
Select a Safe Play Area
Playgrounds are only safe if they are age appropriate. You should select a play area that fits your child's age. Most playgrounds will be labeled for the age intended. Separate play areas for those under the age of five will generally be available. Be careful with babies who have just recently learned to walk. Select only those play areas with smooth surfaces. Young babies should only be placed in swings when they have adequate head control.
Check the Surface
Before your child sets off to play, observe the surface of the potential playground. Avoid playgrounds with hard surfaces, which include concrete, asphalt, gravel, or dirt. Playgrounds with impact absorbing surfaces, such as sand, shredded rubber, wood chips, and the like, are safest. In case of falls off of equipment, an impact absorbing surface will be vital to the safety of your child.
Be Aware of Maintenance
It is wise to double check with your school, community, or child care center to determine who inspects the playground equipment and how often it is maintained. Report any known hazards to the organization responsible for the playground.
Put Our Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work on Your Personal Injury Claim!
If your child has been injured in a playground related accident, you and your family should be entitled to compensation for your child's injuries. The Atlanta Personal Injury Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, represent accident victims across Georgia and in the Southeast. Our firm has over 39 years of experience and is committed to providing zealous representation to each injured client. The sooner you act after your accident, the greater your chances of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of a licensed lawyer as soon as possible.
Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.