Measuring safety levels in playgrounds using environment assessment scales: The issue of playground safety in Greece

Abstract

Playgrounds beget an unrivalled context which, through play activity, can foster children's growth. The foremost function of all playgrounds is to provide for safety. In the present study, our primary focus is to determine the degree of adequacy as far as playground equipment is concerned, including estimates of imminent dangers and the level of compliance with the Greek safety standards. Thus, a relevant assessment scale was constructed based on the standards of the US National Program for Playground Safety and the Consumer Product Safety Commission that include all criteria relevant to safety. Our observations were rated as 'adequate' or 'inadequate' according to predetermined characteristics, and they were subsequently recoded into 'yes' or 'no', respectively, stating the existence or the absence of danger imminence, and finally each kind of equipment was measured in numbers. Results show that approximately all of our sample playgrounds failed to meet current specification requirements for playground safety. The practical implications of the present study entail that a plan for the supervision and upkeep of playground quality should be developed at a national level. In this way, playgrounds in Greece would guarantee for a safer context and foster entertainment, learning and general well-being. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.