KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The incoming sunny weather and high temperatures will add a new list of threats that parents need to be on the lookout for as summer approaches.
This week, summer is striking East Tennessee early with a system bringing potentially record-breaking temps in the 90s and a lot of sun.
Scorching hot playground equipment is just one of the threats parents need to be proactive about with summer's untimely arrival. A big sign can be found at the Lakeshore Park playground reminding parents to check the equipment before their kids play on it.
"Playground equipment can heat up sitting in direct sunlight like this. It can be several degrees hotter than the ambient temperature," Brian Claflin, with American Medical Response, said.
With consecutive sunny days in the 90's this week, playground equipment can easily reach dangerous temperatures.
First responders suggest keeping your children off of slides and swings that have been baking in the direct sunlight. We tested a slide in the sunlight and in the shade. The temperature difference was close to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
"If you can't avoid them, check them. Go check them before your kids get anywhere near them," Claflin said.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said a young child's skin will burn faster than an adult's. If it feels hot to your hand, it may be too hot for a child's bare skin.
"You always want to cool a burn. Place it under cool water, apply ice packs and cool the burn so it stops the burn in the tissue," Claflin said.
He said once it's cooled down, then you can make the call on whether you need to call an ambulance or not.
"Just keep an eye on them," he said.
He also suggest always wearing shoes while on the playground, because even those types of surfaces can heat up quickly.
Knox County Parks and Recreation said they take several things into consideration when it comes to their playground equipment. They don't use metal slides anymore and always follow the latest trends on safe materials in their parks.