Before I get into this article, I want to make it clear that this incident is not something that occurred here in the Comox Valley. It is however very relevant for any parents out there and as such I felt it important to raise attention.
A few days ago an 18 month old girl suffered second degree burns to her hands, knees, and stomach after going down a hot plastic slide at a playground in Des Moines Iowa.
The little girl was hospitalized and had golf ball sized blisters on both of her hands. This is also an incident that could have been avoided had her mother thought to check the slide first.
All that said, how many of us touch the playground equipment prior to letting our kids play? I for one have never done so – but I will now.
Upon later inspection the temperature of the slide was inspected and found to be as hot as 163 degrees! So while the weather here in the Comox Valley has not been all that hot lately, when it does warm up, be sure to check out the equipment before letting your little ones loose to play.
Here is the original article that I read on this: “Tot Badly Burned By Playground Slide”
(This does not appear to be an isolated incident. Doing a few Google searches brings up other similar incidences. Back in 2007 a two year old boy was badly burned by industrial strength drain cleaner that had been poured onto a slide by vandals. )
Lets keep our kids safe – be sure to inspect equipment before they play.