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.

Best Tiles for Playground

Does probability of getting injured scare you when you take your kids to a playground? Do you often hear about playground injuries and you are unable to help it? A playground should be one of the safest public places where children could play worry-free, but unfortunately, the reality isn’t what it should be!
 
The manufacturers focus on installing the best preschool playground equipment and school playground equipment while making a playground structure, but they hardly focus on floors. In this post, I will talk about the five best playground tiles that should be, in fact, MUST BE spread in order to ensure kids’ safety.

1. Sterling Rubber Athletic Tiles

The standout feature of these tiles is the unbeatable price. Can you imagine getting a 2x2 title just in $23? Yes, you can get sterling rubber athletic at this price that makes around $.8/Square foot.

When I first came to know about the price, I got pretty certain it mustn’t be robust and long-lasting, but, guess what? I was amazed to realize I was totally wrong because the quality doesn’t get low with the lowered cost. They are strong enough to bear the heaviest equipment as they are tightly connected to ensure a simple yet closed interlocking system. 

Precaution

Despite the robustness, it is advisable not to use these tiles in a playground with tall equipment as they aren’t made to protect from falling. They should be used in the outdoor exercise areas.

2. Sterling Tiles

If falling injury is your biggest fear, then sterling tiles should be your first choice as they are designed for height falling protection. Greatmats has given them the first rating on fall height protection and it has also been given a rating of 10 ft height fall by the American Society for Testing Materials.

The reason why they provide ultra security is the highly engineered shock absorbers located inside. Furthermore, the thickness of these titles also contributes to the protection. What is more, they are vandal-resistant that doesn’t only make them tough, but also provide durability and safety.

3. Interlocking Tiles

Installing titles on a playground and then maintaining them, later on, are the toughest job to perform while playground manufacturing. You can simplify this task up to a great extent by using the interlocking tiles as they are made from recycled rubbers that make the task of connecting tiles hassle-free and as easy as a piece of cake. You won’t need any heavy equipment and expensive specialized contractors for installing these tiles.

4.  Roof Top Sterling Tiles

These tiles make an area multipurpose due to its versatile quality. If you are planning to utilize the playground for more than just playing, get sterling roof tiles without giving a second thought. They can be used on rooftops, patios, and even decks. Additional benefits include attractiveness due to the availability of different colors, safety (non-slip flooring), and a lifetime warranty.

I hope the above-mentioned choices will help you in making a safe playground. However, if you are looking forward to making a vibrant yet secure playground, then the rubber tile max day bright should be your choice. Are you ready to provide your kids with secure flooring so they can play safe?

Social Benefits of Outdoor Playing

Human beings have social needs. We all need family and friends to live a happy and healthy life. Just like adults, kids also have these needs and it is important to enhance their social skills at an early age to live a communal adulthood. Once again, outdoor playing helps in this area just like it aids in the physical and emotional growth of kids.

Playgrounds expose kids to experiences necessary for their physical, emotional, and social growth. Since I have talked enough about the first two aspects, I will be revealing how playing outdoor makes kids socially sound.

Why Kids Like Playing Outdoors?
It sure is difficult to motivate kids to play outside as they are magnetically attracted to digital screens, but once you take them, they love spending time outdoors. If you ask a kid why they like to play outdoors so much, one of the reasons they give is it gives them a chance to meet their friends and talk to them.

In the formal classroom settings, they have restrictions that inhibit their social growth, and same is the case at homes. They need to do homework, have lunch and dinner on time, prepare their bags and uniform for school the next day when they go home. Such robotic life doesn’t let them grow socially. Therefore, it is advisable to take your kids to a nearby playground for at least an hour regularly.

Playing in Group vs. Playing Alone

There may or may not be other kids in the playground when you take your children to play. The playground equipment and commercial playground equipment make a complex social network when kids play in groups. These tools teach them everyday lessons such as behaving in groups, waiting for their turns, interacting with peers, social norms, and most importantly, skills to build relationships. Furthermore, it makes them proficient in negotiations and teaches them self-control.

Now, you must be thinking playing alone is a waste, right? Well, that’s not true! Do not take your little ones back home if there are no kids in the playground to play with them. Many people think playing alone makes kids shy. On the contrary, it makes them independent and promotes imagination and creativity in them. Moreover, it removes boredom and improves their observation because they learn social cues by watching kids playing at a distance.

Inclusive Playing 

I won’t be wrong if I say inclusive playing is the second name for social playing. Inclusion is of great importance that children learn from inclusive playing. According to a research, children value the kids in their minds who play with them. The fruits of such social games are ripped later in the adulthood because children who had the exposure to outdoor playing become socially sound.

However, disabled children are unable to learn social skills most of the times because of surfacing or lack of inclusive equipment for them. Therefore, ensuring inclusive playground equipment for both disabled and non-disabled kids is one way to improve society.

How Restrictions in Playing Effects Children’s Well-Being?

Unreasonable restrictions in children’s playing have created many negative impacts on children’s learning abilities. If we look at the reasons behind these restrictions, we find both the negative and positive aspects. The limitations are meant to ensure safety within playground structures; however, they can limit children’s learning, confidence, and independence. According to experts, children are needed to get out and play in order to grow and advance, and such restrictions can be a hindrance in their path of learning.

Not only does it create individual problems, they also create social problems. When children are being restricted from being independent while playing, their social skills do not develop as much they need to be. They become slower in problem-solving and find difficulty in coping with stress and depression in adulthood.

According to a research, most of the children and teenagers who are bad at fighting depression and anxiety face a lot of limitations in play. We come across several examples where kids are being stopped from playing independently as a safety measure. Up to some extent, it’s correct, but the elders should make sure the restrictions they are putting aren’t unreasonable for kids.

Children, especially school going kids, should be given a free access to preschool playground equipment when they are allowed to play outside. Kids love exploring and discovering new things; therefore, let them do it. Moreover, it is important to note that every kid is different with unique mental and physical abilities. As a result, his observations and learning capabilities also differ, but all kids need independence to be creative.