The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 200,000 children are injured on playgrounds each year. Among the children who are injured, many suffer traumatic brain injuries, which may cause short-term and long-term problems for the children and their families as well. In Huntington, and other cities across West Virginia, there are all sorts of reasons why kids continue to suffer brain injuries on playgrounds, such as maintenance issues and dangerous equipment. For parents, it is important to understand how widespread these incidents are and make prevention a top priority.

According to information published on the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s site, there has been a significant increase in the number of children who have suffered a brain injury while using playground equipment. In fact, statistics reveal that 21,000 children who were 14 or younger were sent to the ER for a TBI they suffered on a playground from 2001 to 2013, on average. In 2001, 18,000 kids were sent to the ER for a concussion or other significant head injury, compared to over 29,000 in 2013 alone. Although certain improvements have been made to make playgrounds safer for children, children are still at risk and it is vital for parents to supervise their kids.

When it comes to TBIs and other playground injuries, monkey bars are especially dangerous, as are jungle gyms and swings. After suffering a brain injury, a child’s life may change in various ways. For example, they could struggle in school and may experience psychological problems. By recognizing the dangers that are present on playgrounds, parents and children can avoid these devastating hardships.

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