Avoiding a dystopian future for children's play

Abstract

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Paediatric elbow fractures and public play spaces: adherence to standards for children’s playground equipment and surfacing

“… 22 The risk-benefit assessment approach, when combined with safety standards, covers both the engineering and the behavioural aspects of children’s play. 12 23 …”

“…The quality of children’s play experiences must not be sacrificed to eliminate the risk of injury, but an evidence-based assessment of hazard mitigation strategies can ensure that play spaces continue to promote children’s health and well-being. 12 …”

Are active children and young people at increased risk of injuries resulting in hospital admission or accident and emergency department attendance? Analysis of linked cohort and electronic hospital records in Wales and Scotland

“…Boys also generally engage in more ‘risky’ recreational activities like football, cricket and rugby, which are associated with the highest non-fatal injury rates in the UK. [36] Qualitative work with CYP and their carers would provide helpful insights into the barriers to being physically active and, more specifically, into their perceptions of the risks and benefits inherent in different activities and how these influence amount and type of PA and risky outdoor play undertaken. This knowledge could inform advice and education about safety, ways to minimise serious unintentional injuries and, most importantly, the opportunity to educate on the benefits of being physically active and the importance of outdoor play, with its inherent risks, for healthy child development.…”

“…It is important that prevention measures should promote and not discourage engagement in activities, and should include education of CYP to manage and reduce their risks of injury during activities. [40] Measures should focus on activities identified as having the highest risk of injury,[36, 41] with targeted interventions for CYP most likely to engage in them. For example, injuries sustained during rugby have received considerable attention, with recent calls for a ban on tackling during school rugby matches.…”

“…[8] Recommendations include the modification of equipment and the environment, and the provision of information, education and safety equipment. However, like other agencies,[36, 46] NICE advocates for an approach of ‘risk-benefit assessment’ to enable government and local authorities to develop and extend opportunities for all CYP to be physically active. This is especially important for playground initiatives, which are also often at the forefront of injury prevention strategies despite the relatively low risk of injury in these environments.…”