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Rising temperatures dangerous for playgrounds

Posted at 6:26 PM, Jul 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-07 18:26:05-04

Virginia Beach, Va. - The rising temperatures here in Hampton Roads can cause serious problems when taking your kids to the playground.

That’s because those swings and slides can reach high temperatures also.

"It’s been very hot," 12-year-old Tyler Aquril said. "When  I  got on the jungle gym, I just felt it and got off.”

Aquril was at Mt. Trashmore today with his parents and siblings.

He was just one of the people complaining about the hot equipment.

"Unfortunately, the equipment is a little too hot," Lorraine Smith, who brought five of her grandkids to the park, said.  "If you go on the slide, many of the items have metal in them and they’re just hot to the touch.”

Parents say there isn’t much they can do.

But when possible - they test the equipment before letting their kids get on or make them wear lighter pants and long sleeve shirts.

According to CBS News, a child can get burned quickly by anything over 120 degrees.

News 3 tested one of the slides at the park.

It reached 125 degrees.

"All the metal and slides have been hot," Aquril said.

Along with those, the Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests paying attention to dark-colored plastics and rubbers.

They say the heat can lead to second degree burns.

Smith says her grandkids weren’t harmed today but wishes the city provided alternatives during the heat.

"They need something, a little splash pad. A little wading pool, something kids can put hands and ankles down in to cool down," Smith explained.