Petition Demands Mandatory Shade for Playgrounds After Surge in Child Burn Injuries
A growing number of children suffering burns on hot playground equipment has fueled a petition calling for mandatory shade structures – such as shade sails or mature trees – at all new and upgraded playgrounds nationwide. The petition, launched earlier this week, already boasts nearly 2,000 signatures.
The campaign was initiated by Renata Wiles, founder of the app Roam With Kids, after witnessing firsthand the dangers posed by unshaded play areas. Wiles explained that while many playgrounds across the country are being newly constructed or renovated, incorporating adequate sun protection remains optional.
“The equipment is actually unusable because it’s so hot from the sun,” Wiles stated, emphasizing the severity of the issue. She described it as “crazy” that shade isn’t already a standard requirement for playground construction.
The concern extends beyond sunburn prevention. Wiles highlighted the risk of serious burns from contact with scorching metal and even plastic surfaces. She shared that she has been inundated with photos from parents showing children who have required hospital treatment for burns sustained at playgrounds. “Even little toddlers that have just touched something that’s metal in a playground and ended up with terrible burns, like little kids skin is so sensitive,” she recounted.
Wiles’s personal experience also motivated her advocacy. Her five-year-old daughter suffered burns on a metal slide at 18 months old, prompting her to contact local councils. While some councils responded by adding shade to specific playgrounds, Wiles found that these actions were taken on a case-by-case basis, with no overarching mandate. “There is no consistency,” she noted.
Common playground equipment like slides, in-ground spinners, and seesaws are often constructed from metal, which rapidly heats up in direct sunlight. However, even plastic equipment can reach temperatures high enough to cause burns.
Local councils have reportedly cited budgetary constraints as a barrier to implementing shade solutions, suggesting that providing sun protection would necessitate reducing the amount of play equipment installed. Wiles firmly believes that prioritizing child safety is paramount. “Give up another set of swings, or a slide, let’s use some of that money that already exists…and put that into shade because that’s really what parents care about,” she asserted.
The issue underscores a critical gap in playground safety standards, prompting a nationwide conversation about the responsibility of local authorities to protect children from preventable injuries.
