Set sail with public health!

We placed our public health sticker in the university mall in indoor kid play area on miniature pirate ship. We chose this location because it is a public play area and contains soft rubber material that is safe for children. The floor of the play area was made of shredded colored rubber to reduce the risk of injury from falls. Also the playground equipment was made of a soft material with the edges rounded off. The surfaces of all the equipment was glossy, making the equipment easier to sanitize. There were designated areas where shoes could be placed in cubby holes allowing a place for children to leave there shoes while they played to prevent injury from tripping. The area also provided soft cushioned places for the parents to sit and safely monitor their children while they played. In addition, hand sanitizer was also available for the children and parents to prevent germs from being spread.

This represents a public health issue because it promotes physical activity and provides a safe play area. Many children and parents do not want to sit outside in the Florida heat. This gives parents and children the choice of using an indoor playground while allowing the parents to safely monitor their children.

This is important for public health because it provides a safe indoor environment. Outdoor playground equipment can not only get extremely hot in the sun increasing the risk of burns but can also be difficult to properly clean. Having an indoor play area with soft glossy surfaces allows for the equipment to be sanitized easily and more often. The characteristic of the play area were designed to prevent injury and allows for easy sanitation.

Stephanie Hawks (photographer), Tiffany Parrish, Ivette Rodriguez, Blanca Baltazar