Parents are being warned to be cautious when letting their children play on hot surfaces at the playground this summer.
A study by the University of Western Sydney found astro turf can hit temperatures of almost 90 degrees Celsius during hot weather, reports SMH.
Plastic toys can also reach up to 76C the study found. Even the soft fall rubber covering at many children’s playgrounds can reach more than 80 degrees.
Some furniture and decking from wood get almost as hot.
The study found grass and sand were the safest surfaces, reaching a maximum of 47 and 41 degrees in full sunlight.
Semi-natural surfaces, such as wood, woodchips, brick, rock and cement were hotter, with woodchips reaching 75 degrees in sunlight and wood hitting 65 degrees. All were significantly cooler in the shade.
The study found that greenery and natural surfaces should be “promoted in the design of preschools, whilst artificial surfaces should be used sparingly and in the presence of shade” so children could play outside in summer.
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