[The analysis of frequency, causes and consequences of accidents on children's playgrounds]

Several dozen studies from Europe, New Zealand, Australia and the USA were analysed. Wide differences found in the evaluation of the frequency and causes (circumstances) of children's playground accidents. Prevention is by no means easy. Nevertheless, on the grounds of these studies it can be stated that playground, accidents rank third after home and traffic accidents. At least every tenth accident is associated with playing on a playground. Every twentieth of them requires hospital admission. Boys (about two-thirds) and young children, mainly up to the age of 7, are the main victims of playground accidents. Analysis of the consequences of this category of accidents shows that they do not differ much from those of other categories of children's accidents. This category of children's accidents has received almost no notice in Poland. There is urgent need to do research work in this field.