Noting that 90 percent of serious playground injuries result from falls to hard surfaces, this paper reviews the advantages and disadvantages of various playground surfacing materials in terms of cost, climate, durability, aesthetics, and play value. Findings are based on the personal experience of the author, government documents, laboratory…

A survey, based on site visits to 206 randomly selected playgrounds in school systems in 23 states, notes numerous safety problems. The designer of more than 75 playgrounds offers guidelines that improve the safety as well as the physical fitness value of school playgrounds. (MLF)

"MCPS School Safety and Security at a Glance" provides, in a single document, information about the reporting of incidents related to school safety and security, school climate, local school safety program descriptions, and serious incidents in all Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools. The information is presented for each school.…

This manual contains tips on preventing childhood accidents and instructions for handling those accidents which do occur. Part One outlines ways of preventing accidents involving the home, infant equipment, toys, school, cars, bicycles, playgrounds, sports, hiking, camping, and water; it also provides blank forms for a family's emergency medical…

Compares and contrasts two recent court cases concerning injuries to school children resulting from a lack of adult supervision. Although in Louisiana the courts awarded financial compensation to the family of the injured child, North Carolina courts dismissed the claims of a similar suit. (JBM)

A South Carolina school district has initiated an organized approach to playground safety that includes (1) a strict board policy governing the selection, purchase, and installation of school playground equipment; (2) regular inspections; (3) proper surfacing materials; (4) proper supervision; and (5) equipment replacement schedule. (MLF)

The intent of the book is to stimulate interest in the problem of shop-teacher liability and to identify certain needs which have not been adequately met by existing laws and statutes. Chapter 1, The Significance of Teacher Liability, discusses basic legal considerations, the environment of the school shop, and the possibility of liability.…

This handbook is one of a series dealing with safety in the home, the school, and on the highway. It is addressed to the teacher of children in the primary grades, K-4. It discusses the hazards of walking to school, meeting strangers, poisons, and fires. Illustrated instructions on emergency first aid actions are included as well as suggestions…

Used the National Pediatric Trauma Registry, which collects data on child injuries requiring hospitalization, to examine causes and outcomes of injuries occurring at school. Analysis of 1,558 cases indicated that most injuries were unintentional and occurred among students age 10-14 years. Nearly half occurred in recreational areas. Falls and…

A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT MOTIVATED A GROUP OF EIGHTH-GRADE CIVICS STUDENTS TO FORM DIFFERENT COMMITTEES TO OBTAIN A TRAFFIC GUARD FOR THEIR SCHOOL. COMMITTEES WERE FORMED TO CONTACT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY LETTER AND INTERVIEW, TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE STREET CORNER AND MAKE CHARTS SHOWING ITS DANGER, TO DO RESEARCH ON CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS,…

This article is an open letter of a group of early childhood education (ECE) practitioners to Premier Wen Jiabao. This open letter was written with one goal in mind: to ask Premier Wen's government to take measures to protect young children and support early childhood education. These practitioners have become worried about the many accidents that…

Intended to help reduce the number of school eye injuries in New Jersey, this document begins with a brief review of existing legislation regarding eye protection in educational institutions and a list of elements essential in an eye safety program. Second, eye protection equipment is examined in terms of: the advantages of safety spectacles over…