CHICAGO, Oct. 10, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ask children their ideas of scary places this Halloween and you're certain to hear sites like haunted houses and cemeteries. But in too many communities, playgrounds also rank among the scariest sites. More than 70% of public playgrounds lack adequate safety surfacing, and every three minutes a child sustains a playground-related injury serious enough to require emergency-room treatment.
This month, there's an effort to empower community leaders to improve their playgrounds and make them less scary for children and adults. At www.kaboom.org, people can submit photos and stories about their 'scary neighborhood playground' to receive free information on how to successfully rebuild a community playground, and to qualify for additional prizes.
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that has built more than 300 safe, accessible and kid-friendly community playgrounds across the U.S. and in Canada, Bermuda and London. Through the Web-based exhibition of images of the nation's 'scariest' playgrounds, KaBOOM! will further validate the need for safe places for children to play.
SCARY Playgrounds entries will be posted on the KaBOOM! Website. Each entrant will receive a KaBOOM! Getting Started Kit booklet and will be eligible for a random drawing to receive other resources as prizes, including playground-building handbooks and a scholarship to the annual KaBOOM! training conference, the Playground Institute being held next April.
Here's how KaBOOM! defines a SCARY playground:
S = Surfacing that has been neglected, and causes injuries to
children when they fall because it no longer meets standards
established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
C = Challenging equipment is not present for children, particularly
those under the age of 12. Safety does not have to compromise
fun; children need access to equipment that stimulates their
physical and cognitive skills, and to programs that encourage
social interaction with each other.
A = Age-Appropriate play means that children's developmental and
physical needs are being met, whether age 2 or 12. It also
means universally designed equipment that invites children of
all abilities to play.
R = Repairs and maintenance must occur regularly; routine checks
for broken, rusted, misused and abused equipment are a must.
Y = Your involvement as parents, neighbors and friends is essential
for safe, well-cared-for playgrounds that are active bustling
neighborhood spaces.
"October is filled with talk about ghosts, goblins and things that go bump in the night. Unfortunately, kids are the things that go bump in the day on too many playgrounds, and they are hurting themselves on public and backyard playgrounds at disturbing rates," said Darell Hammond, co-founder and CEO of KaBOOM!. "We want community residents and families to take a do-it-yourself approach to making playgrounds safe and fright-free."
For more information, visit the KaBOOM! Website at www.kaboom.org or call (202) 659-0215.
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CONTACT: KaBOOM!
Kimberley Rudd, Marketing & Development Director
(312) 822-5871
E-Mail: kim@kaboom.org