Ocean balls, slides and trampolines are commonly seen in shopping malls. While you kids may love to play with these, have you ever wondered if they’re safe? According to CCTV, these facilities may be harmful to your children’s health.
In an interview with the TV network, Li, a staff member of a kids’ play zone in Kunming, Yunnan revealed that while kids are required to wash their hands before entering the premise of her play zone, the toys and facilities are only sterilized once a day, while the ocean balls are cleaned once every few days.
“There is no way we can wipe each of the balls everyday,” says Li. “The best we can do is to spray some disinfectant on them and roll them around. We would also remind kids to put their socks on to prevent getting injured by any sharp objects in the pool, or get infected by hand-foot-and-mouth disease.”
In addition to hygiene issues, safety problems also pose as a threat. Gu from Beijing told CCTV reporters that her son received a cut to his arm by a sharp hairpin in the ball pit.
“You have no idea what other threats like these are hidden inside these pools!” warns Gu. “This is very dangerous as kids jump around in them all the time. Who knows what else would happen to them?”
Reporters learned from Kunming Health Law Enforcement and Supervision Bureau that kids’ playgrounds are regulated by health officials and are managed by the owners of the facilities and malls.
Pediatricians also warn that playgrounds like these are hotbeds for viruses and bacteria during peak seasons. Next time you bring your kids out to play, make sure to double check facility’s cleaning timetables and permits, and always keep an eye on the little ones while they play.
[Images via Sohu]
