Watchdog group says nation's playgrounds could be safer

(Undated-AP) -- A watchdog group says America's playgrounds are putting children at risk. <br><br>The National Program for Playground Safety has issued its firs treport card and the marks are poor.

Wednesday, April 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Undated-AP) -- A watchdog group says America's playgrounds are putting children at risk.

The National Program for Playground Safety has issued its firs treport card and the marks are poor.

The group surveyed more than 3,000 playgrounds at schools, childcare centers and parks. The average grade given was a "C."

The group says it's especially concerned about two areas where the playgrounds received a failing grade: adult supervision and age-appropriate design.

The group's director, Donna Thompson, says children were seenplaying without adult supervision about 20 percent of the time. And she says only six percent of the playgrounds had signs designating equipment for certain ages.

On the Net:
National Program for Playground Safety: http://www.uni.edu/playground