August 03, 2008
Playgrounds Can be Hidden Dangers in Summer

Dallas CBS News 11 talks with Dr. Akram Khan about the dangers of 2nd-3rd degree burns from playground equipment accidents.
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DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― "It doesn't cross my mind that much until I get out there and it's like, 'Oops! You probably should've put long pants on,' "concerned mom Debra Holmes admitted Sunday as her child played at Samuell Grand Park in Dallas.

It's morning playtime in the shade for these youngsters at the Watson Family Reunion.

"It always seems to be hot and they don't ever complain about it," another mom Beth Watson said. "I worry more about the heat around them then about them getting on the playground equipment and getting burned."

But some admit they've learned the heat lesson the hard way.

Eathan Anderson said it happens "every once in a while." When asked how, he says, " 'cause I'm not careful enough" and said burns mostly happens on metal slides.

Modern playground equipment is not made so much of metal these days, but nonetheless there are parts that heat up in the brutal Texas sun.

Dr. Akram Khan with The Center for Preventive Medicine said there are reports of 2nd-3rd degree burns all across the U.S. from playground equipment accidents.

Khan explained with air temperature reported at 106 degrees, the temperatures on even plastic playground equipment can be 150 degrees or more.

"So when a kid -- with the softer skin -- walks around accidentally on those things -- especially with the metal and the plastic -- they're going to burn very quickly. It's very dangerous for them," he said.

Khan said skin can burn at 124 degrees.

Medical professionals said if a child does get burned, put a cold compress or ice on and get medical attention right away.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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