A US mother has urged parents everywhere to be aware of the dangers when sending their children down plastic playground slides.
Stephanie Luker spoke out after her daughter Ariadne, who is almost two years old, sustained second-degree burns while playing on one.
According to a report by local news outlet KPVI, Ariadne was having fun on the plastic slide when she began to complain that her hands were hurting.
When Stephanie examined her toddler’s hands, she noticed that they were red. By the time they reached home, however, the situation had gotten a little more serious – blisters had developed on the little girl’s hands.
Concerned for her little one, Stephanie got in touch with a nurse and explained what had happened. She was informed that, as it was such a hot day, Aridane had likely burned her skin on the slide.
While Stephanie was aware that a metal slide could absorb the heat and pose a threat in this way to a little one, she had no idea the same could be said of a plastic structure.
“When I told the nurse it was a plastic slide, she was very, very surprised. I don’t think any of us had heard of that happening before,” she said.
Opening up to another publication, the Idaho State Journal, she added: “I would hate for this to happen to somebody else’s kids. It scared me.”
Now, Stephanie wants parents everywhere to learn from Ariadne’s case, and to be vigilant when hanging out at the park or in the back-garden. She advises that, if it’s very hot outside, you lay your hand on the slide – or any other playground equipment, for that matter – to test it, first.
With trips to the park a traditional and beloved part of the summer holidays, it’s so important for us to pay heed to Stephanie’s warning.
What are your thoughts, mums? Has your child ever found themselves in a similar situation? Be sure to let us know, and to share this warning with your friends.
