Playgrounds harbor hidden dangers

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Although public playgrounds in the United States are slowly being made safer for children, many still hold hidden dangers, a new report concludes.

Surfaces that are too hard, equipment that is too high, improper swing placement and overall poor maintenance were among problems found by the Consumer Federation of America and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group when they looked at 1,037 playgrounds in 36 states and the District of Columbia.

Of the playgrounds examined, 75 percent lacked the proper surfaces to prevent injury, the groups said in the report released Thursday, noting that 80 percent of playground injuries are caused by falls.

"Playgrounds can be wonderful places for children to have fun and face new challenges," said U.S. PIRG Research Director Alison Cassady. "But children face serious injury on playgrounds when they fall from equipment that is too high onto surfacing that is too hard."

The researchers said more than half of the playgrounds have equipment over 6 feet high, which they said does not increase the play value but does increase the risk of injury. The survey also found entrapment and entanglement hazards on 34 percent of playgrounds.

Approximately 187,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for playground related injuries in 2001, according to federal statistics. About 15 to 20 children die each year on the playground, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says.

"Playground manufacturers, local park and recreation authorities and policy makers must be accountable for the injuries that occur on public playgrounds," said Rachel Weintraub, general counsel for the Consumer Federation of America.

While parental supervision of playing children is important, it is not enough, she said. She encouraged parents to report unsafe conditions to local authorities.

While the federal government has general recommendations for playground construction, they are not mandatory. In states where laws have passed requiring playground to meet the recommendations there has been a significant decline in injuries, the report said.