In today’s public school environment, both students and staff are constantly on the alert for unauthorized persons on campus. Children, in particular, are often taught to announce the presence of unknown third-parties with the familiar cry of “stranger danger!” But what about those persons (other than parents or guardians) who are temporarily invited to be on school property?

Emergency rooms treat roughly a quarter of a million playground-associated injuries every year, yet the majority of these injuries are avoidable. As the amount of injuries increases, it is important for public entities to design, build and maintain playgrounds to better promote safety. Playgrounds should balance injury prevention with the desire to promote children’s ability to test their limits, build muscle, gain confidence and learn personal interaction.

Marijuana is one of the hottest topics being discussed today. Currently, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana in some form and four states and the District of Columbia have legalized the use of recreational marijuana. However, due to these changes in legislation in many states, employers are left feeling hazy. Often, employers are unclear about whether they can still enforce a drug-free environment. That answer depends on where you live.