Playground Pains

When monkeybars aren`t entertainment enough, youngsters sometimes get creative on the playground--but that usually leads to injuries. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says last year almost 500,000 kids were hurt on the playground. Arkansas Children`s Hospital says they`ve already seen quite a few injuries. "Usually kids falling either from equipment or a height, like the steps, or tripping over each other," said Donna Parnell-Beasley, the trauma coordinator at AR Children`s Hospital. Frederick Fields, principal at Cloverdale Elementary, says they`re sure to teach the kids playground rules. "No contact sports, they`re taught to play on equipment safely, during p.e. Also the p.e. teacher demonstrates how to appropriately play on each piece of equipment," Fields said. "The main deal is adult supervision, having age appropriate equipment, maintaining equipment, having appropriate surfaces under equipment," said Parnell-Beasley. For more information, parents can click oon the following link: www.orthoinfo.org