Archive for the ‘Playground Kid Safety’ Category
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
In a world where children are saddled with homework and computers, the NRPA plays an important role in maintaining a safe and pleasant environment for children to play in. The NRPA, otherwise known as the National Recreation and Park Association, has made it its mission to advance parks, recreation, and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people. They work to pass needed bills and reforms in Congress, publish a popular magazine, and take care of many other aspects to further their cause. A highlight of the year is the annual NRPA Congress and Exposition.
This year’s show was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 1 -3. The show boasts exhibitions from the biggest names in the eco-friendly and parks industries, as well as seminars and a chance to exchange ideas with experts from around the country. Rubberecycle was in attendance at this year’s show, educating Parks officials and Eco-conservers about the benefits of rubber mulch for children and the environment.
The NRPA Congress and Exposition was the source of many interesting and instructive topics. Among the many topics discussed were a certified playground safety inspector course, aquatic facility operator course, and many other educational sessions. A Fun Run and Walk 5k through Atlanta’s premiere community park also took place on the last day of the convention. Rubber mulch is always a source of much hype at the shows, where experts expound on its many benefits in preventing playground injuries in children, and the fact that it is extremely environmentally responsible, being made from recycled tires.
Rubberecycle always makes sure to be a presence at shows such as those sponsored by the NRPA because they are more than just commercial trade shows; they have the best interests of communities at heart. By spreading the word of Playsafer mulch, more communities can offer their children truly safe and clean places to play.
Tags: eco friendly mulch, NRPA, playground safety, Playsafer mulch
Posted in Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, Recycle, Reuse, rubber mulch | No Comments »
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
It’s always nice when communities come together for a good cause, and even more heartwarming when that cause is meant to better the lives of children, our future. The WSCF, or Wright Stuff Community Foundation is helping to construct a One Step Ahead and Prime Time Preschool Playground near Norwood Public School.
The playground consisted of a fence and play structure that had been installed in a gravel and weed filled yard. Originally meant for physical and occupational therapy services, the yard was in no way strong enough to stand up to the daily use it sees. Despite the efforts of dedicated teachers over the last nine years, the yard featured an unruly and out of control elm tree and some hacked out foot paths.
Nikki McCluer used drives to raise money that would whip the playground into shape. She started by asking a Norwood resident to remove the pesky elm tree. This was followed by a huge overhaul that involved leveling a gravel hill that had been the cause of many a scraped knee, paving wide, smooth footpaths for bicycles and jogging, and laying a flooring of rubber mulch.
The rubber mulch was the finishing touch to making a playground that is beautiful and safe. A big improvement over the former gravel, the mulch is pretty to look at, soft and bouncy for easy running and playing, and shock absorbent for less skinned knees. This was perhaps the greatest obstacle faced in the renovation of the playground, but it was donated by the Telluride School District from an unused stash. Two construction companies volunteered their services in hauling the mulch to its new home. Although there are other playground surface options, McCluer worked hard to obtain rubber mulch flooring, as this would provide optimal safety for the children at play in the new playground.
Many volunteers gave of their time, with the Norwood football team doing the heavy lifting of moving the playground equipment, and companies giving the foundation great deals. The organizers are now using the cold winter weather to take a step back and enjoy the accomplishments before the finishing touches that will come in the spring. They plan to install a sandbox, benches, plants, and an outdoor art area.
Come spring, Nikki McCluer will be able to enjoy the knowledge that due to her hard work, the children of Norwood will have a safe place to play and explore.
Tags: playground rubber mulch, Playsafer rubber mulch, rubber mulch for playground
Posted in Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, rubber mulch | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
In today’s society, children are constantly being labeled with various terms. They may have Asperger’s syndrome if they’re too shy, sensory issues if they’re too touchy, or ADD if they’re too jumpy. However, even well adjusted children with no labels are often clumsy and uncoordinated and can easily trip. Playgrounds, while built for children to play in, also pose numerous obstacles that children can easily fall over. Rubber curbs and rubber bond can help prevent some of these scrapes and bruises.
Rubber curbs are used to cordon off areas of the playground, especially when rubber mulch chips are used for the flooring. As opposed to wooden or plastic curbs, the rubber variety is flexible, and bends under pressure. The rubber curbs are pliable, and bend, helping children regain their balance after losing their footing. Playsafer rubber curbs come in a variety of colors, adding a pop of cheer, and coordinating with the rest of the playground equipment.
Rubber bond is a form of playground flooring that is extremely popular due to its many qualities. It is made by spreading a layer of rubber chips which is then covered by a layer of rubber combined with a high quality polyurethane bond. The result is a smooth, clean floor that has the safety features of rubber mulch chips. Aside for the aesthetic appeal, rubber bond is a flat, smooth floor that leaves virtually no room for tripping by clumsy children. It allows children to run free, secure in the knowledge of sure footing.
Rubber bond also provides the perfect surface for activities such as biking, roller blading, jump rope, etc. With rubber bond, children can take playing to a new level with the perfect surface for any activity.
Tags: playground flooring, playground mulch, playground safety
Posted in Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, rubber mulch | No Comments »
Thursday, December 1st, 2011
Thanksgivings has passed, and the holiday shopping season is officially underway. Everywhere you look there are ads for the latest and most exciting toys to please any child’s wildest dreams. While the classics like toy trains and dolls are nice, here are some innovative ideas that will please any child.
Ripstik
Relatively new to the summer paraphernalia scene, the Ripstik has quickly become a favorite of kids everywhere. It requires a delicate balancing act that, while fun, also strengthens kids’ muscle tone in their calves and legs. It has been described as a cross between a skateboard and a snowboard. The Ripstik is small and easy to store, but a helmet must be worn when the Ripstik is in use.
Rubber Mulch for Playgrounds
While this may be considered a pricier gift, in the long run rubber mulch pays for itself in more ways than one. Any kid will be ecstatic with a renovation of the playground, and parents will also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge of playground safety. The extra shock absorbency in the mulch playground flooring helps prevent injuries, and with a variety of colors it looks great, too! Rubber mulch playground flooring is a gift that lasts.
Perplexus Maze Game
The Perplexus is addictive for children and adults alike, and the best part is that it has nothing to do with staring at a screen. A maze that is housed within a plastic ball, the aim is to get a small metal marble through a complicated maze using various maneuvers. It is highly addictive, but excellent for hand eye coordination.
With new and exciting toys coming out every year, it’s easy to lose track of what will make a good gift and go with the ones that offer the most lights and action. When purchasing holidays gifts, look for something like rubber mulch, something that will last.
Tags: holiday gifts, playground gift, playground safety, rubber mulch, rubber mulch gift
Posted in Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, rubber mulch | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
Every mother’s worst nightmare is to have her baby choke. Unfortunately, babies choke often, as their windpipes are small, and even small pieces can block air from reaching their lungs. Most mothers develop a habit of combing the baby’s play area for chokable objects the moment they arrive. Playgrounds are geared toward children, but they are often areas that are not safe for babies. The slides and climbing apparatus provide places for babies to fall from and bump into, and there are often chokable objects on the floor. Rubber mulch is here to make playgrounds safer for babies, at least in the sense that there are fewer objects that could cause choking.
Many playgrounds used to be floored with grass or wood chips. Babies could easily tear out grass and stuff it in their mouths. Wood chips were also a hazard as they decayed with time, shedding little slivers that babies could fit into their mouths. Mothers have enough on their hands with keeping an eye on their children while they play, it is hard to keep track of what is in the baby’s mouth, too. Rubber mulch chips are large enough that they wouldn’t fit into a baby’s mouth, but unlike wood, they don’t weather and shed chips. Mothers in playgrounds with rubber mulch flooring surfaces can let their babies crawl around, assured that they won’t choke on the flooring material.
Rubber mulch for playgrounds has been lauded as a safety measure for children, because its added shock absorbency prevents injuries from falls. What many forget is that it is also excellent for babies, removing a very real choking hazard.
With new rubber mulch from Rubberecycle, mothers can allow their children to enjoy the playground and babies to crawl free, secure in the knowledge that they are truly safe.
Tags: baby choking, playground safety, rubber mulch, rubber mulch chips
Posted in Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, rubber mulch | No Comments »
Thursday, November 10th, 2011
The newest in a long line of laws and litigation hoping to make the planet more eco-friendly is a ban on plastic bags in select counties. As global warming brings natural disasters at an alarming rate, more and more everyday citizens are looking for ways to go green. There are already hundreds, if not thousands, or household goods that are made out of recycled products.
Rubber mulch is made of recycled tires, and is a way to go green that many people may not know about. Rubber mulch is manufactured by shredding used tires, for use as playground flooring, landscaping materials, and flooring in horse arenas. Aside for the green aspect, reviewers of rubber mulch products are finding many benefits, including its added absorbency, making it safer for kids to play in playgrounds that have rubber mulch flooring. Rubber chips are also replacing other forms of mulch because it allows more rainwater to filter to the plants, and requires little maintenance.
More and more gifts are made out of recycled products, for creative gift ideas that help the environment. These may include random objects such as bottle openers made from the wood of old baseball bats, wine bottles that are melted down and made into platters, and more. Gift givers can easily make their own meaningful gifts out of objects that can be found around the house.
Even apparel can be found from recycled materials! There are recycled glass earrings, handbags and cases made from magazines, and assorted apparel items and accessories that are made out of everyday household goods.
It can be easy to help the environment, simply by purchasing products that are made from recycled objects. The options are endless, and can range from what you wear, to what you eat on or sleep on.
Tags: eco friendly mulch, recycled rubber mulch, recycled tires
Posted in Go Green, landscape, landscape mulch, Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, Recycle, Reuse, rubber mulch | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011
Sports related injuries are on the rise, as more and more children are involved in organized sports, and the level of competition is upped. Different factors may contribute to the rise in number and severity of industries. Of course, the summer sees an incline in the rate of injuries. Researchers have concluded that the flooring and the turf that children play on can greatly influence the safety of the sport.
Many children play sports on grassy fields which are not properly maintained. The ground could be rough and uneven, and grass that is too long makes for a slippery and tangled surface. Asphalt has better friction, but will frequently sport cracks and holes. Also, falls on asphalt will almost automatically result in injury. One of the best playground surfaces for children to play on is artificial turf, or fields that are covered with Playsafer rubber mulch.
Rubber surfaces provide excellent traction, as well as an added measure of absorbency to absorb the impact from falls. The rubber chips can be used in conjunction with grass or artificial turf for the look and feel of a grassy field, with added safety. Known as Crumb Mulch, the mulch used on athletic fields comes in all colors, and is odorless. It also does not make children dirty, a welcome relief for soccer moms.
Rubber mulch is used on athletic fields, commercial playgrounds, personal backyards, and for landscaping and horse arenas. Its many virtues are allowing it to take center stage, and doctors are strongly recommending the use of rubber mulch in areas where children play sports.
Tags: playground flooring, playground safety, rubber mulch
Posted in Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, rubber mulch | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
Today’s society is all about video games, computers, and electronics. Many kids are couch potatoes, and even those who aren’t spend hours each day in front of a computer or tv. An excellent way to get your kids out is to play old fashioned games with them that speak to any child in any generation. Just make sure that they’re playing in safe areas that are carpeted with grass or rubber mulch surfaces.
Hopskotch is an old girls’ favorite for which all you need is chalk and pavement. Make it exciting by drawing themed hopscotch squares, and funny faces around the numbers. Sidewalk chalk in general is a great activity that allows children to use their creativity, and enjoy the sun and fresh air. Jumprope is also an inexpensive and enjoyable pastime. Kids can play a variety of games with the rope, and the real experts can experiment with double dutch, where two ropes are turned at once. Children will also enjoy playing jump rope with multiple players in the rope at once.
For the boys, there are the classic organized sports like baseball, basketball, and more. Then there are the classics like throwing horseshoes, running races, and flying kites. Just letting them run wild, they’re sure to entertain themselves with the bugs and other creatures that can be found in grassy areas. For more contained playgrounds that have rubber mulch flooring, boys can play line soccer, and use their imagination to have a good time.
Different areas of play will provide varied opportunities in play, but the greatest gift one can give to a child is the ability to use their imagination and the freedom to run free. Free play is an integral part of childhood that no child should be deprived of.
Tags: Playgrounds, rubber mulch, rubber mulch flooring, rubber mulch surface
Posted in Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, rubber mulch | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
Tragedies with children involved always make a sad situation seem so much worse. Even more grievous is when tragedies are caused by juveniles themselves. The Duluth News Tribune reports that this was the case in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Lester Elementary School Playground on October first, a calm Saturday morning. A group of juveniles were experimenting with fire, and set the playground burning. Thankfully, schools are closed on Saturday, and no children were in the school building, but the fire destroyed the playground. The juveniles were charged with felony negligent fire arson in the fifth degree.
Many products that are made for children today are flame retardant, and almost all take flammability into account. Playgrounds, too, should be fireproofed. This is an impossible feat, but there are ways to ensure that fire will spread less quickly in a playground, allowing time for children to be evacuated in case of an emergency.
Consumer Reports recently did a review on rubber mulch and wood chips, two varieties of substances used in playground surfaces. The results showed that both are flammable, with rubber burning hotter. However, an important redeeming quality of rubber flooring in playgrounds is that wood chips are light, and are easily thrown about, quickly spreading fire. Rubber chips, on the other hand, are denser, and stay in place. If the rubber flooring is used in one area of the playground, the fire may be more easily contained, as the rubber stays put, withholding the fire from spreading.
Many playgrounds today are installing rubber mulch as a safe playground flooring option, because rubber has extra shock absorbency to alleviate the impact from falls. The tragedy in St. Louis highlights another safety factor of rubber mulch in playgrounds – the ability to better contain fire. School officials should be advised to lay the rubber flooring in a contained area of the playground so that in case of fire, the rubber contains the flames.
Tags: playground flammability, playground safety, playground surface, rubber mulch, rubber mulch flooring
Posted in Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, rubber mulch | No Comments »
Friday, August 26th, 2011
Playgrounds are geared for children, and as such, should be child safety proof in every sense of the word. All baby and child geared products, from pacifiers and cribs to building blocks, must be approved by various government appointed agencies before they are allowed on the market. The same should be true for playground equipment. Sadly, this is not the case. People pay little attention to the playgrounds that their children run around in daily. In the last few years, manufacturers have taken a step in the right direction with the selling of rubber mulch.
Rubber mulch is a flooring material that provides optimum playground safety, using recycled tires to produce rubber chips. This flooring looks like wood but is more shock absorbent, dramatically reducing the potential for injury. It also prevents scratches and scrapes, and ensures that children are not at risk of splinters when they fall. Animals and insects are not attracted to the playground flooring, a big pro for parents who are wary of the germs they carry. As rubber mulch is synthetic, the issue of mold and fungus growth is also eliminated. Rubber mulch leaves no dirt or stains on children’s clothes as they play.
Many schools and commercial playgrounds take their responsibility seriously, and ensure that their playground equipment lives up to the highest standards of safety. Virtually all new playgrounds being built today use rubber mulch as their choice of flooring. However, many people with private backyards look to cut costs with more affordable flooring alternatives that can cost them in the long run, as it has to be renewed, and can pose as a danger to their children. Rubber mulch is an option for everyone, not only commercial playgrounds.
From a design perspective, this innovative playground flooring comes in a variety of colors that don’t fade over time. In fact, some manufacturers go as far as to claim that rubber mulch can last for fifty years without any upkeep! It is a fact that the mulch need not be replaced or renewed annually.
Parents are quick to snatch up the latest in child protection locks for their medicine cabinets and lead free toys, but what about the play area their children run around in every day? Rubber mulch may be a considerable investment, but it’s just as important as the bars around the baby’s crib.
Tags: commercial playgrounds, playground safety, Playgrounds, rubber mulch, school playgrounds
Posted in Go Green, Playground Kid Safety, playground mulch, playground safety, Playgrounds, rubber mulch | No Comments »
|
|
