A number of schools have found a smart way to curb playground-related accidents: Tires.
Eighty one percent of all playground injuries occur as a result of falls. To lower this statistic, schools have tried to make the ground (or fall zones) in playgrounds softer. Many use recycled, shredded tires.
The tires, which are completely non-toxic, are considered one of the best ways to protect kids. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, as well as other agencies, reported shredded tire chips have consistently outperformed all other surface material in impact absorption.
Various companies make the ground covering in a variety of colors, guarantee the tires won't mark children's shoes or hands and that the product will last 50 years.
For schools that can mean less maintenance costs. For kids that can mean safer and softer places to land, should a playground mishap occur-and they occur often.
Studies show in 1999 alone more than 200,000 children suffered playground-related injuries. The most common injuries were broken bones, followed by cuts, abrasions and sprains.
In addition, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are 15 to 20 playground-related fatalities each year.
Despite the proven need for softer ground covering, it's estimated as many as 92 percent of American playgrounds don't have safe covering in place-a statistic schools are trying to drive down with recycled tires.
Many schools are using shredded, recycled tires as a completely nontoxic way to soften playground surfaces.
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