It is estimated that 15 children die each year due to unsafe playground equipment, along with another 200,000 children that visit the emergency room every year due to injuries sustained from playground equipment. Playground equipment and surfacing can reach high temperatures leading children to be exposed to UV radiation and intense sun resulting in sunburns and thermal burns. Discouragement due to uncomfortable and unsafe playground conditions has the potential to cause children to experience long term health consequences such as obesity and depression. Children should not be discouraged from being active due to unsafe playgrounds and playground equipment.
 
Playgrounds are a hub for child play, fun for families, and a place for communities to come together. My legislation aims to ensure safe playgrounds by establishing a Statewide Advisory Council on Playground Safety to give recommendations for the implementation and enforcement of regulations, standards, recommendations for the statewide systemic inspection of playgrounds and creation of safety plan models.
 
Our children deserve safe places to play and explore. Please consider joining me and co-sponsoring this much needed legislation to protect children throughout the state.