Playground equipment dangerously hot in heat wave

Parents want to get their kids out of the house over summer, but the local park may not be the safest place.

Playground equipment can be anywhere between 100 and 150 degrees when air temperature gets to 90 degrees.

Children are more at risk to burn injuries from equipment because their skin is more sensitive and their reaction times when they realize something is too hot are not as quick as adults or older children.

Shaded playgrounds do help in keeping the equipment cool and safe for playing. In Columbia, the playground at Stephen’s Lake Park is surrounded by large trees that cast shade over the jungle gym.

Parents should also remember to make their children drink water every 20 to 30 minutes. Children often won’t tell their parents when they feel thirsty or dehydrated and don’t self-regulate their drinking habits when playing outdoors.