Playground Safety Week

WHEREAS, the safety and well being of children is a priority of the State of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, more than 200,000 children are injured on playgrounds in the United States each year, equaling an average of one playground-related emergency room visit every two-and-one-half minutes; and

WHEREAS, the National Program for Playground Safety was created at the University of Northern Iowa to help inform the nation about playground injuries and possible ways to reduce the number of injuries; and

WHEREAS, the National Program for Playground Safety has identified key areas that could help substantially reduce the number of playground injuries and keep our children safe, including providing proper supervision, age appropriate equipment, materials to soften falls to the surface and equipment maintenance; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to set aside a week each year for the consideration and direction of how to keep our children safer on playgrounds; and

WHEREAS, spring is often a time that children head to the playground, and a large percentage of playground injuries occur from April through June; and

WHEREAS, child care centers, schools, parks and other public facilities are preparing for the summer and increased playground participants; and

WHEREAS, as part of our commitment to the children of Alabama, no child should play on an unsafe playground; and

WHEREAS, the National Program for Playground Safety has designated April 25 through April 29, 2011, as National Playground Safety Week:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim April 25 through April 29, 2011, as

Playground Safety Week

in the State of Alabama and urge all citizens to join this important observance.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 18th day of April 2011.

      

Governor Robert Bentley