The Kansas Department of Health and Environment identifies playground accidents as the leading cause of injury to children in elementary school.

According to KDHE, each year in the U.S. about 150,000 children ages five to 14 go to the emergency room with accidental injuries involving playground equipment. Three out of four playground accidents occur on public playgrounds, including school facilities, as opposed to backyard play equipment.

Most playground injuries are not fatal, but 10 children per year die from accidents involving playground equipment. The most common are from strangulation when a piece of loose clothing or jewelry gets caught on equipment of the child's head gets stuck between climbing bars.

Falls can also cause fatal injuries or permanent disability.

"A child who falls 10 feet is at risk of spinal cord injury, paralysis and even death," said Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator. "Protective surface materials can make a life-and-death difference."

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issues guidelines for playground surfacing and age-appropriate warning labels on playground equipment. Some of those guidelines are mandatory in 15 states under state law.

"Nothing can take the place of active supervision, but we do need to make sure our kids are playing in safe environments in the first place," said Stegelman.

Teachers and playground monitors are also an important key in keeping kids safe. "Simply being in the same place as the children isn't necessarily supervising," said Stegelman. "Kids on a playground need an adult's undivided attention."

For more information about playground safety visit www.usa.safekids.org.