Do You Know Where the Greatest Safety Risks Are in Your Own Backyard?
Posted by proforma on March 25, 2009
As the weather starts to improve and children can play outside, parents should think about checking that their backyards are safe for kids. Several sources of good information are offered by Web MD and Home Safety Council.
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) ranked the following as contributing to the highest number of estimated head injuries treated in 2007 (sports excluded):
Ladders, all types: 17,124
Porches, balconies, open-sided floors: 16,124
Swings and swing sets: 10,727?
Fences, fence posts: 10,152
Workshop (power and hand tools, supplies): 9,666
Monkey bars, other playground climbing equipment: 7,630
Trampolines: 7,075
Slides, sliding boards, see saws, teeter boards: 6,565
Playground equipment (unspecified or other): 5,017
Garage doors: 2,236
All lawn mowers: 2,002
Decorative yard equipment: 1,968
Camping equipment (excl. trailers): 1,666
Garden hoses, nozzles, sprinklers: 1,620
Greenhouse or gardening supplies: 1,428
Amusement attractions (including rides): 1,417
Unpowered garden tools: 1,410
Hammocks: 1,358
Pruning and trimming equipment: 907
Tool sheds: 898
Filed Under: Workplace Safety
