(HealthDayNews) -- Playgrounds offer children exercise and social interaction. But they can also be dangerous.
More than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger are treated for playground injuries each year in the United States, says the U.S. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
The National Program for Playground Safety says there are a number of ways to prevent playground injuries. The program recommends: improvement of adult supervision on playgrounds; public education about age-appropriate playground equipment; and improved maintenance of playground equipment and surfaces.
It also suggests that playgrounds be built with surfaces that help reduce the impact of falls -- such as sand, wood chips, shredded rubber, and wood fiber.
