Summer is quickly approaching and the sun’s heat can be very intense. When we take our toddlers outside to play, we have to exercise caution against many things. We put sun block on our little ones so they don’t get burned. We bring plenty of fluids so they don’t get dehydrated and we try to keep our little ones out of as much direct sunlight as we can.
What precautions are we taking at the playground? There aren’t any reminders that playground equipment gets hot. Even if the playground is not in direct sunlight, heat will permeate surfaces. We wish it weren’t so, because we want the things our children play on and around to be safe and free of hazards.
Unfortunately, a toddler named Madyson in Des Moines, Iowa, was severely burned when she went down a plastic playground slide. The temperature of the slide was estimated to have reached over 150 degrees. The extreme heat left the toddler with second degree burns on her knees, stomach, and hands. Doctors say she’ll be left with light scarring.
I’m the parent of a toddler. My daughter wants to do things for herself to show what a big girl she’s becoming. I like to watch her explore her world, run, climb, and have fun. I’d like to think I’d be vigilant and remember that items in the sun get hot. I’d like to think that I wouldn’t let her dive head first down a slide hot enough to bubble skin.
Slides were metal when I was a little girl. Temperatures were high enough that I passed out from the heat when I was very small. I don’t have any scarring from burns received on the equipment or stories handed down of the same. I was lucky we were careful.
Madyson’s mother just didn’t think the slide could be as hot as it was. I can’t imagine her horror at what happened to her darling girl.