A bright sunny day is the perfect time to get the children out of the house and onto the playground. But before your little ones start climbing, sliding, swinging, and having fun, make sure the playset they’ll be using is safe.
According to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, there were almost 47,000 injuries to children under the age of 15 last year who were playing on home playgrounds. While this isn’t a statistic that any parent wants to hear, it’s a great reminder that every playset and playground should be made as safe as possible.
This checklist will help you ensure that your playset, and the area around it, is safe for your children.
Check the Lumber – the posts located at the corner of each playset should be planted firmly in the ground and possess very little side-to-side motion.
A is for A-Frame – the A-frame of any playset should be securely seated in the ground and have some give. However, it should remain relatively still, even when the playset is being used.
Survey the Space – the area around the playset should be open and cleared of any trees, bushes, or other obstacles to help reduce collisions. The space in front of, and behind, each swing should be twice the height of the beam that supports it.
Happy Landings – grass and dirt don’t make for easy landings, so make sure the area around the playset is filled with rubber or wood mulch, wood chips, sand or very fine gravel. The depth of the material depends upon what you’re using, so check with the vendor.
Pick up the Slack – excess ropes and chains should be shortened to avoid the possibility of injury. Remember that these ropes and chains should be anchored into the ground.
Take a Close Look – examine the playset when the children aren’t around and it’s easier to focus. Check to make sure the bolts and other hardware are tight. Heavy traffic areas should be checked for wear or breakage.
Turn It Off! – Smart phones and tablets have their place in all of our lives, but remember to pay attention to children when children are using the playset. Being alert and paying attention helps keep accidents from occurring.
Age Appropriate – toddlers shouldn’t be using playsets that are built for bigger children, and vice versa. As your child grows, your playset should to! You can check out a variety of new playsets on our website.
Playsets are an excellent way for children to exercise and socialize. Use these guidelines to make sure the playset is safe so play time is fun. And if you notice that your playset has become worn out or needs to be updated to keep up with your growing kids, our website has a variety of offerings from Playground One and Woodplay.
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