Swing accidents within the European region

This study was conducted to gain greater awareness and understanding of the issues and events which lead to swing accidents; in particular, to provide indices for determining preventive measures concerning swing accidents by means of analyzing accident data. A secondary objective was to find out the potential use for data collected by means of the European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System (EHLASS) All twelve Member States of the European Community in 1993 were asked for information on accidents involving swings recorded by EHLASS. Eight countries provided information on a total of more than 5,000 accidents. Based on this information it was concluded that every year in the European Community about 70,000 people have to be treated at an Accident and Emergency Department for an injury due to a swing, i.e. eleven victims per 10,000 children up to fifteen years of age. On average, half of the accidents involving playground equipment refer to swings. Swing accidents result in general in mo...