Children's Playgrounds Must Be Safe
Children spend a lot of time playing outside in playgrounds. We can see them not only in kindergarten outdoor play areas but also in the yards of private houses and apartment buildings. Specialists from the National Public Health Centre (NPHC) point out that playgrounds when children are unsupervised can become a cause of serious injuries, therefore they need to be designed and maintained properly.
NPHC points out that the maintenance and safety of playgrounds is the responsibility of the legal or natural persons who operate them. If the owner does not appoint an operator of the playground, the responsibility for the maintenance and safety of the playground lies on the owner.
The operator or owner of the playground must:
• At least once a week, inspect the playground and assess the risks that may arise from the equipment or an act of vandalism (if there are broken or missing parts, or other obvious risks).
• At least once in 3 months, evaluate the functioning, reliability, and wear of the equipment (especially of moving parts) if the manufacturer has not specified otherwise in the maintenance instructions.
• Ensure that at least once every 12 months, the main annual control of the playground is carried out, during which the equipment and the surface is assessed with regard to their compliance with the requirements of Lithuanian standard. This control must be carried out by an accredited body.
NPHC specialists call on all playground operators/owners to be responsible and comply with the established requirements thus ensuring safe environment for children to play. If you notice faulty equipment or improper surfaces in playgrounds for children, please contact the responsible persons.
If you continue to see that the problem has not been resolved, do not hesitate to contact NPHC (you can find information about the methods of application here: https://nvsc.lrv.lt/lt/struktura-ir-kontaktai/asmenu-aptarnavimas).
More information on the safety requirements for playgrounds can be found in the Lithuanian Hygiene Standard HN 131:2015 "Children's playgrounds and playrooms. General health safety requirements".
Last updated: 25-08-2023
Related news:
NPHC Recommendations to Residents Regarding the Fire in Šilutė
Preliminary Overview of the 2025–2026 Influenza Season
Flu Season Is Ending: Incidence Rates Lower Than at the Same Time Last Year
Respiratory infection morbidity is decreasing
NPHC Provides Guidance on How toAct When Air Pollution Increases