When we check out the local playground for safety, we naturally look for tripping or falling hazards, but we should also be scanning the skies as the sun and exposure to its harmful UV rays can pose a health risk for all ages.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun can account for up to 90 percent of all melanomas, the most serious type of skin cancer. Melanoma accounts for only about 1 percent of skin cancer cases but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths.
The CDC says that cancer of the skin is the most common type of cancer in the United States and perhaps the most preventable. While sunscreen and hats are key when playing outdoors in schools or neighborhoods, playground designers can play a role in sun safety by providing shade structures.
“Providing shade in areas where students already participate in outdoor activities can afford passive protection from the sun’s damaging rays,” the CDC says in its publication “Shade Planning for America’s Schools.”
Not only can playground shade structures keep participants safe by blocking UV rays, but these shade systems also have other benefits such as:
Even on a cloudy day with reasonably cool temperatures we are exposed to ultraviolet radiation or UV rays when we are outdoors.
The amount of UV radiation levels we receive are determined by several factors:
Of course, there would be no life on earth without the great benefits of the sun, and even UV rays have some positive effects such as the photosynthesis of vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, and it leads to the aesthetic tanning of the skin.
Negatively, UV ray exposure can lead to:
“The vast bulk of skin cancers in the U.S. are due to excessive skin exposure to UV radiation from the sun, so sun protection is the key to preventing the disease,” said Martin Weinstock, M.D., PhD, Director of Dermatology at Brown University and Chair of the American Cancer Society Skin Cancer Advisory Board.
Shade structures can be an effective and easy solution to maintaining a physical
“With high-quality shade structures, there is less direct sunlight on kids, allowing them to play longer and reducing the risk of sunburns,” says Miracle Recreation, a leading provider of playground equipment.
There are five main benefits that shade structures can provide your playground or outdoor area:
1. Sun and UV Rays Protection
The right shade structure fabric, such as CoolNet™ fabric canopy, can reduce direct sunlight and block up to 99 percent harmful UV rays. Shade structures will protect children and others from the UV effects of skin damage, as well as skin and eye damage.
2. Makes Playground and Outdoor Areas More Comfortable
The CDC says that adding a shade structure to an outdoor play area can reduce the temperature by as much as 10 to 20 degrees. The shade structure also cools the equipment making it less hot to the touch on summer days.
3. Enables Playground to be Inclusive
There are children and adults that have sun allergies or need to limit their exposure to direct sunlight due to certain medications or conditions such as epilepsy. According to GoodRX, some medications that can cause photosensitivity include:
4. Elements Protection for People and Equipment
The sun and its rays are the not only elements that can ruin a playground outing. Shade structures can provide protection from rain, snow, and other weather events. Shade structures will also protect the equipment from sun and rain damage, extending the useful life of it.
5. Extend the Playground Usefulness
All the above factors will combine to make your playground an outdoor area that has children playing for longer periods of time. Protection provided by shade structures will allow your playground to achieve its maximum usefulness.
Contact Churchich Recreation and Design today to find out about how we can provide you with Miracle Recreation solutions for all commercial playground equipment, recreation and outdoor fitness needs, as well as pre-engineered outdoor shade structures by Shade Systems with CoolNet shade fabric.