A toddler’s summer is over after the rubber flooring at Safari Playground on the Upper West in New York left him with second-degree burns.
Attorney Gershon Abramoff filed a notice of claim this past Wednesday, stating it is the city’s fault 2-year-old Luke had these injuries. Abramoff cites the city was negligent by installing a playground surface capable of retaining heat and burning a child’s feet.
“Second-degree burns on the feet is something that is not foreseeable for a parents perspective but it’s absolutely preventable from the cities perspective, they can design playgrounds to prevent this from happening, and they did not,” said Abramoff in a statement.
Luke’s mom said her little boy’s summer is now canceled.
Luke loves the beach, the playground and walks in the city, but due to his injuries, those activities could be a long way off. In addition, Luke’s mom is worried there could be permanent nerve damage.
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NYC sent the following statement to PIX11 News:
“We want all parkgoers to enjoy our parks and playgrounds this summer, and we urge families to stay safe in the sun on hot days — make sure kids always wear proper footwear, use sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.”
In the summer, a heat index at or above 90°F, as identified by the National Weather Service, poses a significant health risk to both kids and adults. The next time you decide to head out, be sure to protect your child from a heat-related illness by doing the following….
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Find an air-conditioned space. If your home does not have air-conditioning, find a nearby building that does. Libraries can be a great place for a cool retreat from the heat. If you live in a place where the air-conditioning is unpredictable, plan in advance for a safe place for you and your family to go during times when the temperatures are high.
Stay hydrated. Encourage your children to drink water regularly and have it readily available—even before they ask for it. On hot days, infants receiving breast milk in a bottle can be given additional breast milk in a bottle, but they should not be given water—especially in the first six months of life. Infants receiving formula can be given additional formula in a bottle. See Signs of Dehydration in Infants & Children.
Dress lightly. Dress your children in clothing that is light-colored, lightweight, and limited to one layer of absorbent material that will maximize the evaporation of sweat. Kids have a lower capacity for sweating than adults.
Prevent the effects of sun exposure. See Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn & Sunscreen.
Health Children