Dangerous broken equipment at a children’s playground near Sungai Buloh. — Filepics
THE safety aspects of children’s playgrounds need to be prioritised by our local authorities.
Many playgrounds are in disrepair and despite complaints, not much is being done to urgently remedy the problem.
Recreational and sports facilities must be kept in good condition to avoid injury or worse, especially to children and senior folk.
Children, unlike adults, can easily get hurt as they are not aware of dangers and risks.
Rickety see-saws, swings, slides, spring riders and multi- play stations rust or wear out over time, and need to be replaced.
Rubbish at a football field in Sungai Buloh.
Adult caregivers who regularly accompany children to playgrounds are the first to observe signs that the play equipment needs repairing or replacing.
Normally, they will report this matter to local authorities, hoping for quick action.
However, in most cases, the complaints are overlooked.
To placate complainants, authorities will give reasons of lack of financial allocation or that contractors have not been chosen even though tenders have been called.
In the meantime, innocent children continue frequenting the playground.
Sometimes, despite adult supervision, minor accidents can happen and the child needs medical attention.
This can expose the local authorities to legal action.
I have observed that playgrounds as well as playing fields in Selangor are not in good condition because authorities and contractors do not monitor them.
In many cases, rubbish consisting of twigs, branches and fronds pile up uncleared at the side of the field.
Snakes and centipedes find these piles a convenient refuge, thus becoming a danger to children as well as adults.
Grass must be cut short and all rubbish should be cleared quickly, not piled up for later clearance.
Also, playgrounds need to be fenced up where possible.
In some playgrounds, nearby residents have planted various herbs, fruit trees and plants that encroach onto play areas.
In some residential areas, the sides of playgrounds are used for dumping rubbish or for other activities that hinder children from playing freely.
Authorities must take the initiative to clear all these hindrances and not wait for residents to complain.
It is no point acting after someone has become injured or lost their life.
I have witnessed the poor state of the playground in my residential area in Taman Seri Putra Fasa 3, Sungai Buloh in Selangor.
It needs an upgrade.
I had alerted Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) about the problem through the SISPAA complaints portal a few months ago.
However, no action has been taken due to reasons only known to MPS.
I have observed that all the housing estates nearby are also facing these problems.
Action needs to be taken without any more excuses.
Since this problem concerns children’s safety in playgrounds, I am appealing for the assistance of Sungai Buloh MP Datuk R. Ramanan, who is also the Deputy Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister.
I am making a similar appeal to Paya Jaras assemblyman Datuk Ab Halim Tamuri.
As small children are at risk of injury due to the poor condition of many playgrounds, we residents hope that action will be taken before more children get injured.
ANNIE MATTHEW GEORGE Sungai Buloh
