Children’s playgrounds need close monitoring, quick action to repair defective equipment

 

CHILDREN’S playgrounds need to be given more emphasis especially about its safety aspects by the nation’s local authorities.

One finds a lot of children’s playgrounds in disrepair and despite complaints not much is done urgently to remedy the problem. Children, unlike adults, can easily get hurt as they are not aware of the dangers and risks.

Rickety seesaws, swings, slides, spring riders, multi-play stations and others rust or wear out over time and need to be replaced periodically.

The parents who normally accompany the children are the first to observe the telltale signs that these playground equipment need to be repaired or replaced.

Normally they will report this matter to the local authorities hoping for quick action. However, in most cases the complaints are overlooked and excuses such as lack of financial allocations or that tenders have been called but the contractors have not been chosen are given to placate the complainant.

In the meantime, the innocent children due to their age and physical needs continue frequenting the playground.

Despite the supervision of the parents, sometimes minor accidents can happen needing medical attention. This can expose the local authority liable to legal action.

I have observed that children’s playgrounds as well as fields in Selangor are not in good condition as the local authorities as well as the contractors do not monitor the situation closely.

In many cases trash consisting of grass, twigs, branches, fronds and dead plants pile up at the side of the field and is not cleared.

Snakes and centipedes will find it a convenient refuge and this will be a danger to children and others using the field.

Grass must be cut short and all trash should be cleared quickly, not piled up for later clearance. Recreational and sports facilities must be kept in good condition to avoid unnecessary risks and dangers to users especially children and seniors.

In some playgrounds nearby residents have planted various herbs, fruit trees and plants that encroach into the playground and in some residential areas the sides of the playground are used for dumping trash and for other activities that hinder children from playing freely in the playground.

Playgrounds need to be fenced where possible. The local authorities must take the initiative to clear all these hindrances and not wait for residents to complain. Local councillors and municipal officials need to monitor and act on the shortcomings and complaints about children’s playgrounds, football fields and other sports and recreational facilities. It is no point acting after some casualties or even fatalities have happened.

I have been prompted to write this letter as the children’s playground in my residential area, Taman Seri Putra Fasa 3, in Sungi Buloh has been in poor condition and needs an array of upgrades, repairs or replacements.

I had brought the complaint to the attention of the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) a few months ago through the Public Complaint Management System (SISPAA) complaints portal.

However, no action has been taken possibly due to reasons only known to the MPS. I have observed that all the housing estates or nearby neighbourhoods are also facing these problems and action needs to be taken without further excuses such as waiting for allocations.

Since this problems concerns small children’s playgrounds, I would like to make an appeal to Sungai Buloh MP Datuk R. Ramanan who is also the deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives minister to assist in this matter.

A similar appeal is also made to Datuk Dr Ab Halim Tamuri, the state assemblyman for the Paya Jaras constituency.

Small children are at risk of injury due to the poor condition of the playgrounds and it is the hope and expectation of the residents that action will be taken before more children get injured.

Annie Mathew George is a Focus Malaysia reader.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia