During summer months, parents are constantly warned that a hot car can be dangerous and even deadly to their children.

Yet many adults aren't aware of the dangers of hot playground equipment.

More than 200,000 kids in the U.S. suffer serious playground injuries each year -- many of which include burns.

Annabelle Laplante, just 1 year old, suffered third degree burns on her leg when she knelt down on a platform that had been baking in the sun.

The Colorado toddler will likely need plastic surgery because of the burn, which extends from her knee to her ankle.

"It happened in a split second," recalled Annabelle's mother, Jeni LaPlante.  "It's been traumatizing for both of us."

Experts say parents and babysitters need to understand just how hot playgrounds can get in the summer sun.

If a slide or monkey bar is hot to an adult hand, it's even hotter to a child's sensitive skin.

Safety expert Wendy Forbes showed how a playground paltform's temperature easily went from 117 degrees to 150 degrees.

"Thats why it's very important that parents have their children dressing  appropriately," she said.  "They shouldn't have their children running around barefoot."

Long pants may also be in order and parents can visit playgrounds in shaded areas or take the kids out to play later in the day.