Whereas, The safety and well being of children is a priority of the State of
Michigan; and,
Whereas, More than 200,000 children are injured on playgrounds in the United
States each year, equating to one playground-related emergency room visit every
two-and-one-half minutes on average; and,
Whereas, The National Program for Playground Safety has been created at the
University of Northern Iowa to help inform the nation about playground injuries
and possible ways to reduce the number of injuries; and,
Whereas, The National Program for Playground Safety has identified key areas
that could help substantially reduce the number of playground injuries and keep
our children safe: proper supervision, age appropriate equipment, materials
to soften falls to the surface, and equipment maintenance; and,
Whereas, Spring is often a time that children head to the playground and a
large percentage of playground injuries occur from April through June; and,
Whereas, Schools, parks, and other public facilities are preparing for summer
season and playground participants; no child should play on an unsafe playground;
and now therefore be it,
Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan,
do hereby proclaim the week of April 21, 2003, as Playground Safety Week in
Michigan.