Editor's note: As Arizona continues to battle COVID-19, please follow social distancing and face covering guidelines in public at all times, including playgrounds.
A day at the playground can be tempting on a bright sunny day, but in the Arizona heat, it can also be dangerous.
Children playing outside during Arizona summers can face 100 days or more of temperatures north of 100°F. Too often playgrounds use heat-retaining, unnatural surfaces in the middle of parks with no shade, especially in Phoenix. These unshaded playgrounds can act as mini heat islands, which can disincentivize physically active play or even lead to burns.
ASU urban climate researchers Jennifer Vanos and Ariane Middel believe proper shading of playgrounds may be a solution.
“Shade protects children from the sun and keeps playground equipment cool and touchable,” said Middel. Their research provides insight into these spaces, as well as tips on keeping children safe in the heat.
Infographic by Alex Davis/Media Relations and Strategic Communications
More Health and medicine
3 ASU doctoral students join prestigious 2024 cohort of health policy scholars
Three Arizona State University doctoral students are among the 2024 cohort of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholars, the foundation recently announced.Isabella…
Can connected devices reduce hospital readmissions?
Health care providers are increasingly relying on technology when it comes to patient care.Many in the industry believe this allows caregivers to monitor health-related behavior to proactively…
ASU’s first genetic counseling master's students complete their work
It's not every student that can say they know everyone in their degree program.But the first cohort of Arizona State University’s Master of Science in genetic counseling housed in the …