When thinking of unsanitary places, public restrooms, port-o-potties, and high traffic public areas come to mind.However, according to a hygiene surface test conducted by the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 44 percent of playground surfaces tested positive for urine, feces, mucus, saliva, and other blood-borne pathogens.

Only 25 percent of public restrooms tested positive.

Unbeknownst to many, playground equipment was the No. 1 contaminated surface.

​

The dark side of fun 
Playgrounds are a wonderful experience for children to have while growing up.

Children learn and develop from socially interacting and facing the physical challenges that playgrounds have to offer.

However, whether it’s in your neighborhood, school, church, town park, fast food restaurant, or even in your backyard, your child might be at risk for becoming ill from something as innocent as playing on a playground.

We often overlook the importance of the sanitation, cleaning, and upkeep of equipment such as playgrounds, picnic tables, handrails, etc.

Many assume that rain and the sun’s UV rays will take care of most of the cleaning.

Exposure to environmental elements can spread these germs to a new location on the equipment, not to mention the damage the sun does to the lifespan of a playground’s   plastic.

​