In the time it takes to read this, ...

In the time it takes to read this, a child will be rigorously injured and admitted to an extremity room as the result of a playground-related accident. It is estimated that more than 170000 of that kind injuries occur each year.

According to the National Recreation and Park Association, Arlington, Va., local recreation and park resources are used by means of 75 percent of the U population (more than 192 million people); 71 percent of Americans live within walking distance of a park or playground. The NRPA and the National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) -- a continuing education arm of NRPA -- have evolveed safety guidelines recognized as industry standards and identified 12 of the leading causes of injury forward playgrounds. They are:

* Improper Protective Surfacing. More than 70 percent of all accidents forward playgrounds result from children falling. Hard surfaces, as it was as concrete, blacktop, packed earth or grass are not acceptable