Find an Orthopaedist
AAOS Web Site
 
Home
About Orthopaedics
Glossary of Orthopaedic Words
In the News
Languages
Español
Other Languages
Parts of the Body
Shoulder, Arm & Elbow
Hand & Wrist
Spine & Neck
Hip
Knee & Leg
Foot & Ankle
Categories
Diseases & Syndromes
Arthritis
Tumors
Other Diseases & Syndromes
Broken Bones & Injury
Treatment & Rehabilitation
Joint Replacement
Other Treatment & Rehabilitation
Sports & Exercise
Prevention & Safety
Patient Groups
Children
Seniors
Your Healthcare
Managing Your Health
Patient Resources
Patient Stories
Section Editor: B. Stephens Richards, III, MD
Playground Quiz
Playground Safety Quiz Your playground looks safe - the equipment looks fine - but how safe is it really?

Take the quiz below and find out.
1. Grass is a safe surface for playground equipment.
False. Grass is not recommended for playground surfacing because its ability to absorb shock can be affected by weather conditions and wear. Softer surfaces, such as wood mulch, shredded tires, or sand can reduce the number of injuries.

2. The majority of injuries on playground equipment occur on slides.
False. The vast majority of injuries on playgrounds are connected to climbing equipment and swings.

3. Children must always be supervised on the playground - no matter how old they are.
True. Close supervision by a responsible adult may be the most important factor in preventing playground injuries.

4. Falls are the most common type of playground accident.
True. More than half of injuries on a playground result from falls to a surface.

5. If a playground is newer with modern equipment, it is safe.
False. Hazards can develop in even the most modern playground. The equipment could break or bolts could loosen. The playing surface may not be properly maintained.

6. Stairways to slides or platforms must have handrails on both sides.
True. Be sure the handrails are shaped and sized for an easy, complete grasp by your child.

7. Play areas for preschoolers and older children should be separated.
True. Good playground design is an important factor in preventing injuries. Areas for active play, such as swings, should be separated from areas for quiet play, like sandboxes. And areas for the most popular activities should be widely spaced apart.

Score Card
0 Correct
0 Wrong
0 Answered
Broken Bones and Injury
Elbow Fractures in Children
Forearm Fractures in Children
Growth Plate Fractures
Pediatric Thighbone (Femur) Fracture
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Throwing Injuries in the Elbow
Top of Page
Diseases and Syndromes
Bowed Legs
Cerebral Palsy
Down Syndrome: Musculoskeletal Effects
Erb's Palsy (Brachial Plexus Birth Injury)
Juvenile Arthritis
Limb Length Discrepancy
Muscular Dystrophy
Neurofibromatosis
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Foot and Ankle
Clubfoot
Flexible Flatfoot in Children
Intoeing
Hip
Developmental Dislocation (Dysplasia) of the Hip (DDH)
Perthes Disease
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Snapping Hip
Knee and Leg
Adolescent Anterior Knee Pain
Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Knee Pain)
Spine and Neck
Back Pain in Children
Congenital Torticollis (Twisted Neck)
Kyphosis (Roundback) of the Spine
Scoliosis in Children and Adolescents
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Top of Page
Sports and Exercise
Activity and Exercise
Female Athletes: Health Problems Caused by Extreme Exercise and Dieting
Flexibility Exercises for Young Athletes
Physical Activity for Children
Physical Activity for Persons with Mental Retardation
Weight-Bearing Exercise for Women and Girls
Sports
Flexibility Exercises for Young Athletes
High School Sports Injuries
High School Sports Injuries: Safe Return to Play
Return To Play
The Young Athlete
Sports Injury Prevention
Gymnastics Injury Prevention
A Guide to Safety for Young Athletes
Baseball Field Safety
Baseball Injury Prevention
Basketball Injury Prevention
Football Injury Prevention
Golf Injury Prevention
Helmet Use
Hockey Injury Prevention
Running Injury Prevention
Skiing Injury Prevention
Soccer Injury Prevention
Swimming Injury Prevention
Tennis Court Safety
Tennis Injury Prevention
Tips for a Safe Running Program
Volleyball Injury Prevention
Top of Page
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Care of Casts and Splints
Children's Clubfoot: Treatment with Casting or Operation?
Top of Page
Prevention and Safety
Pedestrian Injuries and Children
At Play
Backpack Safety
Helmet Use
Inline Skating Injury Prevention
Prevent Heely Injuries
Prevent Scooter-Related Injuries
Recreational Activities and Childhood Injuries
Skateboarding Safety
Sledding Injury Prevention
Summer Safety: Tips for the Pool
Motor Vehicle
All-Terrain Vehicle Safety
Child Safety Seats
Playground
Playground Safety Checklist
Playground Safety Guide
Playground Safety: Tips for Kids
Top of Page
Patient Stories
A Patient's Experience with Atlantoaxial Subluxation
A Patient's Experience with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)
A Patient's Experience with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
A Patient's Experience with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
A Patient's Experience with Scoliosis
A Patient's Experience with Scoliosis - Bracing
Top of Page
Resources
What Is a Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon?
Top of Page
Specialty Society Partner

Selected topics in the Children Section were developed in partnership with the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
Copyright ©1995-2008 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. All material on this website is protected by copyright.
All rights reserved. This website also contains material copyrighted by third parties.