The government should find ways to cool outdoor playground areas to allow children to use them safely, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Mark Ho (何志偉) said.
Citing Centers for Disease Control data, Ho said that as of June 30, 89 people younger than 18 have required emergency medical aid due to heat injury.
That is 2.3 times higher than the annual average number of people who required medical aid due to heat injuries over the past three years, he said.
Photo: CNA
Taiwan Parks and Playgrounds for Children by Children member Lin Hsiang-ju (林?如) said that the government should consider strategies such as planting more trees around outdoor facilities to cool parks and playgrounds.
Playground surfaces should be sand, gravel, sawdust or wood bark, and the playgrounds should have mist sprayers or water-based play areas to help keep children cool and relieve the effects of urban heat islands, Lin said.
Only about 40 of the nation’s 7,000 playgrounds have areas where children can play in water, she said.
Taipei City Councilor Chung Pei-ling (鍾佩玲) said that of Taipei’s 442 playgrounds, 87 are considered “inclusive,” of which 35 had structures built with metal, which could become hot and burn children.
Chung said that ameliorative measures should include planting trees or establishing more cover over playgrounds.
New Taipei City Councilor Tai Wei-shan (戴瑋姍) said that instead of putting up signs telling children to wear “thicker clothing” to protect themselves, the nation needs to resolve the issue.
Ministry of Health and Welfare Public and Family Division Director-General Chang Wan-chen (張婉貞) said that the ministry is aware of the issue and has implemented several measures to address heat-related injuries at parks.
Chang said that improvements would take time to implement, but local governments have started the process, adding that water-based areas require more discussion to achieve the intended effect of cooling down the areas while preventing injuries from slipping.
Construction and Planning Agency Construction Division Director-General Wu Wen-hsiung (吳文雄) said it has complied with all ministry regulations regarding trees and shade, adding that the agency would work with the ministry should it revise its regulations.
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