Indoor playgrounds have recently become handier than ever as countries brace themselves for the heatwaves. Children are required to 60 minutes of free play on a daily basis, and, aside from that, they deserve to have fun when they can.

Heatwaves are a serious matter; it’s a phenomenon that can be very dangerous. In simple terms, a heatwave happens when high temperatures stay for a prolonged period in a specific area.

For example, in Japan’s case, the temperature they experienced during the heatwaves are higher than their normal temperature for a longer period. However, it’s not always the same for every country. A certain temperature can be normal to others, while it can already be considered too hot or too cold for others.

Heatstroke in Japan is no joke as there are roughly a hundred people who have died in Tokyo. In July, The Mainichi reported 96 people died of heatstroke in central Tokyo’s 23 wards. According to Tokyo Medical Examiner’s Office, this number is a fourfold increase compared to July of 2017.

Fearing the effects of the heatwave on children, Japan is looking at indoor playgrounds as the saving grace for children to have their daily 60 minutes of free play. Parents are choosing indoor playgrounds that are within air-conditioned shopping centers or commercial enterprises when they want to go outside for their homes. With this dire situation, definitely, the park is not an option.

According to The Japan Times, indoor playground visits have increased over the summer. During the peak hours, which is between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., is when the heat is at its strongest. This has led parents to be their children to indoor playgrounds because children tend to get bored at home. There are parents who even bought an unlimited passport in one of the playgrounds in their area in order to bring their children there all day long.

One of the playgrounds in the country, Pure Heart Kids Land in Kakogawa, Hyogo Prefecture, reportedly experienced an increase in the number of visitors. According to The Japan Times, the playground experienced a 40-percent increase on July 15 compared to other Sundays so far.

Another playground, Fantasy Kids Resort, also experienced an increase in visitors. An official from the amusement playground said parents are wary when it comes to health warnings.

The official said: “We saw an increase in visitors when PM 2.5 air particle pollution became a topic in the news. It seems like parents who are worried about heatstroke this year are visiting our playgrounds and avoiding parks and swimming pools.”

For parents, children’s safety is the top priority. Fortunately, indoor playgrounds are an answer to the safety precautions of parents — even the helicopter ones. Playground owners should be able to provide high-quality playground areas so that parents can feel relieved when their children are playing.

With this, playground owners should be able to find a trusted commercial playground manufacturer. iREC has over two decades in designing, manufacturing, and installing indoor area equipment and is recognized by various international organizations in terms of safety and fun. For more information, call +63 47 250 2779 or email sales@irec.ph.