The operation of the 21 playgrounds of the municipality of Sintiki in Serres is suspended, as announced a while ago by the mayor of Sintiki, Giorgos Tatsios.

Renovation will follow with the specifications required for them to receive certification.

The playgrounds will be closed for two months. “We ask for the children’s and parents’ leniency, but the result will reward them,” said the mayor of the region.

The current legislation in Greece for playgrounds

The current Greek Legislation (Ministerial Decision 28492/Government Gazette 931/Î’/18.05.09), for playgrounds, states the following:

Outdoor playgrounds and playgrounds must have sufficient fencing to ensure the safe stay of children and must have:
– Adequate lighting
– Seats for the attendants
– Tap with drinking water
– Toilets
– Fire safety means
– The ground on which it is installed must have sufficient
water drainage system
– The access routes must be electrically lit and protected, they must not have direct access to high-speed and high-traffic roads and in any case all necessary protective measures must be taken.

* The area where a playground is to be created must have the following characteristics, so that the safety and health of children are not endangered:
a) not to be adjacent to uses that cause atmospheric and sound pollution and to activities that use materials hazardous to health.
b) not adjacent to an expressway or heavy vehicle traffic. When adjacent to a road or rail network that causes high noise, appropriate sound mitigation measures should be taken.
c) Not to be located less than 300 meters from electromagnetic radiation facilities (telephone, television, radio broadcasting antennas) or high voltage pylons, etc.
d) not to be located next to areas that pose risks (such as landslides, precipitation, collapses, outbreaks of infection, etc.).
e) not to have visual contact with facilities that can harm the mental health of children (such as cemeteries, prisons, etc.).
f) not be visually isolated.
g) to have comfortable and safe access (pedestrian path, light traffic road, sidewalk, etc.). of plants, etc.).

* The playground must be surrounded by adequate fencing, natural or artificial, so that it is functional and provides safety to children by preventing hazards and injuries as well as entrapment of their body parts. Fencing should not visually isolate the playground from the surrounding area.

* Entrance sign which bears the certification mark of suitability for the operation of the playground and at least the following information:
− Layout diagram of the playground equipment (if it is large).
– Prohibition of entry to persons not accompanying a child.
– Prohibition of entry for companion animals, with the exception of dogs – accompanying persons with disabilities.
− The age groups of children for which the playground is intended.
− Emergency telephone numbers.
– Contact numbers for the playground operator.
− Information on how to submit complaints.
− Prompt to maintain cleanliness.
– The opening hours of the playground.

* For planning the installation and use of the equipment, the ELOT standards must be taken into account. The equipment of the playgrounds (toys and falling floors) should meet the safety specifications of the European standards of the EN 1176 and EN 1177 series.

* Playgrounds, depending on the area they occupy, are divided into two categories with the following characteristics:
1) Playgrounds up to 400m2, designed mainly for one or two age groups of users. In the playground of this category, at least three types of equipment or an “assembly” equivalent to at least two independent instruments are installed.
2) Playgrounds of more than 400m2, designed for two or more age groups of users. In the playground of this category, at least five types of equipment or at least two “groups” or a combination of these are installed. Playgrounds over 800 m2 can have separate areas suitable for wheelchairs and group games.

*You should:
a. A regular maintenance program should be drawn up.
b. Maintain a daily inspection protocol for each playground and record any damage.