Three-Quarters of Perth Playgrounds are Short of Cancer-Preventing Shade Structures

While it is chilling in the U.S., some parts of the world are facing hot waves. To protect us and our kids from the harsh sunrays we have shade structures in Las Vegas, but it seems another part of the world is still quite short of them. A new survey by The Sunday Times has revealed that of the 2295 playgrounds in Perth, only 604 are protected throughout the entire day by shade structures. The survey was conducted in 24 metropolitan councils of the Perth.

This makes Perth quite vulnerable to cancer-causing sun rays. According to the survey, three-8quarters of Perth playgrounds do not have cancer-preventing shade structures installed. Most of the councils are relying on the tree cover only.

Why shade structures are important? 

• Protection: The major benefit of shade structures is to block the harmful rays of the sun during the summers. During the hotter days, the sunrays have high UV frequency that might cause cancers or sunburns. Kids, being the most vulnerable, when subjected to these rays are most affected by this light. Shade structure help to prevent around 80 to 90 percent of this harmful light which is sure to damage skin layers and may cause cancer in extreme cases.

• Style: Aside from providing protection from the harmful sun rays, shade structure also provide dynamic aesthetics to the playgrounds and the play space. They are available in bold colors and make the playground look livelier. They are available in different shapes, this difference in geometry gives new look to the playground.

• Saving: The shade areas are another way to save money. When shades are not around, our house or school premises are hotter. We have to turn the AC on to prevent the hotter temperature. Having shade structures lowers the temperatures in the premises. They help keep the house cool and lower the cost of electricity, thus saving you a good amount.

• Las Vegas Playground Equipment have a modern look and they look best with contemporary architecture. These structures provide a welcome respite from the bright sun and they can be used in both residential and commercial places. Having shade structures means you don’t have to rely on temporary solutions like pergola and gazebos. They are permanent and the good thing about them is that they have the option to be uninstalled during the winters. So that you can have the maximum amount of sun during those cold months.

Ever Wondered What Constitutes a Place Surfacing? We’ll Show You

Kids could never have as many options for fun in the past as they have now. All sorts of mobile toys and equipment are within their reach. Kids’ playgrounds have been customized now, and amid obesity and other health concerns, the need for children to play outside has never been more critical.

Outside playground parks are now very comfortable. Foam padding for playground makes the rubber
surface even relaxing for kids. This surface is created in two layers to create a safe playground surface.

The bottom layer is a cushion layer and is made up of either foam material or buffings. The size and cut of the area are measured to choose the cushion material for the playground. The cushion is settled at specific depths for proper fall height protection.

When this layer is cured, the top layer is called “wear course”. This layer is made of synthetic rubber,
other than the foam padding for the playground. This material is thermoplastic vulcanized and offers
durability and superior color quality. Wear course is that layer of the playground that is visible to the
people.

This layer surface can be of different qualities. There are various aspects that determine the right one
for your job. It depends on the fall height requirement, color options, UV stability, and high or low traffic areas. If you have the right knowledge, you can determine the right type of rubber material for your project. It offers many benefits like durability, comfort, and it also protects children while they play. You can also use these layers for indoors and outdoors. The coolest thing about this surface is that you can create designs with it as well.

How to Keep Children Safe and Playful at Church

You would have seen most of the parents worried about their kids during the Sunday worship sermons
and other church events. Although there is church playground equipment at the church to keep the
children involved, still Pastors and church management have a huge responsibility to keep our precious
kids and young children safe.
Here are some suggestions to keep you children playful and safe at church:
Church safety and security
Recently there has been some rash incidents of church and school shootings. While church management
has been quick to hire police and security guards to monitor outside and inside of children’s areas, there
are a few more steps required for the safety of the church.

• The church and the adjoining spaces should be well lit including the parking lots.
• The church playground equipment for the kids must be secure and properly fenced. These playground areas must be monitored round the clock and built away from the roads or woods.
• The emergency evacuation procedures including the fire safety must be properly written down along with the instructions and properly understood.
• All the extra doors outside the church must be locked during the church hours and a guard posted at entry and exit points.
• In case a child gets hurt or falls ill, the workers must reach the parents at the earliest.
• For the purpose, there must a church-parent alert system that connects workers and parents.
• The area for the kids in the church must be carefully selected keeping in mind their safety.
• The classrooms for the kids must have viewing window doors open out to the grounds, parking lots or streets.
• Children’s area must be clean and childproofed with safety equipment.

Three Things to Remember Before Installing Playground Equipment

If you plan to install playground equipment for kids, you must think beyond fun and games. There are many important aspects to cover during its planning. These include everything related to security of the kids and other liabilities for the community members. Here are three things that must be considered:

Safety Features of The Playground

Safety is the prime aspect to cover before installing playground equipment. When you install equipment then the elevated portion of the playground should be protected by the barriers. This will prevent the kids from falling off, thus averting the risk of any serious injury. No matter what the age of children playing, guard rails and barriers must be installed. Similarly, the swings should not be close together to avert any collision. A space of 24 inches is recommended in this case.

Choosing Age-Appropriate Equipment

Most of the injuries occur due to children playing on the inappropriate equipment. Every playground equipment is designed for a specific age group of children. These age groups are divided into three main categories:

1.    Equipment for ages 2 and under
2.    Age 2 to 5
3.    Ages 5 to 12

You must choose the right equipment according to the age of the children even if you have to pay more. This will prevent unnecessary injuries.

Avoid Wood Construction

There have been concerns about the use of wood in playground equipment. Though it has not been verified experimentally, there are concerns about the use of pressure treated wood in many structures including the playground equipment. These chemicals are considered toxic to the kids. So you must keep this in mind and avoid using any equipment that involves wood until you make sure that there are no harmful effects of it.