Introduction

While over the last 40 years the public accident rate has improved, it is slightly higher today than it was 20 years ago.  Many of the statistics are sobering.

• Over 750,000 Americans are injured during recreational sports each year, and brain injuries cause more fatalities than any other sports injury. 

• Each year, over half a million people are injured and 900 are injured in bicycle accidents.  In fact, more children ages 5 to 14 are injured in biking accidents than any other sport.  However, here is an encouraging statistic: Bike helmets are between 85 and 88% effective in preventing brain injuries.    

• Playground accidents injure 150,000 children a year.  Playground surfacing is critical because 79% of these accidents involve falls.  While entrapment accidents are relatively rare, they are often fatal.