Poorly maintained loose fill playground
surfaces are NOT safe.
As a matter of fact, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have conducted studies revealing the
following results:
·
70% of all playground injuries are caused by falls to the
surface.
·
76% of all playground injuries occur at public facilities
(parks, schools, child care centers).
·
Each year over 200,000 children require medical attention
due to injuries on playgrounds.
·
Annually, over $1.5 billion dollars in health care costs are
attributed to playground injuries.
Who is Responsible?
·
Depth of loose fill surfacing in
many states received an "F" on America's
Playgrounds Safety Report Card 2000 & 2004 (NPPS)
·
Falls to noncompliant surfacing
are considered a Priority 1 Hazard (National Playground Safety Institute -
NPSI)
·
One in Three playground injures
are the result of improper maintenance (NPSI)
·
80% of playground injuries are
caused by the negligence of owner/operators (NPSI)
ADA Accessible DuroMat Extended Life®
playground safety tiles reduce serious
playground injuries by 75%. Testing by the National Program
for Playground Safety, funded by the Iowa Legislature in 2003 and 2004,
demonstrated that installation of, NSSI approved, rubber playground tiles
combined with S.A.F.E training reduced serious playground injuries by 75%,
resulting in savings from reduced medical bills and time away from work.
How can NSSI help? We partner with schools, government agencies and non-profit
organizations to find resources in order to assist with the purchase and
installation of rubber tile playground surfacing that meets our stringent
certifications, onto playgrounds.
·
We recommend tiles made in the USA with a patented cold
cured process that converts crumb rubber into a variety of high quality safety
surfacing products. The manufacturing
process enhances the life expectancy and cushioning effects of the tiles,
keeping kids safe for many years.
·
The NSSI recommends the ONLY
playground safety tiles that are either tested, certified, or approved by: Consumer Product Safety Commission - International
Playground Equipment MFG. Assoc - Americans with Disabilities Act - National
Safe Surfacing Initiative® - National Program for Playground Safety - American
Society for Testing and Material - Detroit Testing Laboratories - The Iowa
Legislature
