The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that there are as many as 205,000 playground-related accidents involving elementary and preschool age children each year which require emergency medical treatment. What can we, as parents, do to ensure that the time that our young ones spend enjoying an outdoor playset is as safe as it is fun?
- Equipment should have a padded surface under and around it to protect against falls, for at least six feet in all directions and six inches deep for every seven feet of equipment height.
- Equipment should be appropriate to the age of the children playing. For example, children under 5 should not be on rope swings because their sense of balance is less developed.
- Children should be properly supervised. Again, kids under 5 have to be watched more closely especially when playing close proximity to older, more rambunctious kids.
- Check equipment regularly for damage. Cracks and broken pieces can develop sharp edges.
- Avoid using poorly maintained (such as older, second-hand playsets) or poorly designed equipment (such as sets that predate various safety regulations).
- Check for pinch hazards for small feet and fingers, such as uncoated swing chains and the gaps in bridges.
- Be sure the ground around the play area is clear of stray objects or material that could be a trip hazard. Children should also be made to wear appropriate footwear to protect their feet.
- Equipment should not have any sharp edges or points. Avoid products that have them, and either file or sand them down if existing equipment already has them.
- Wooden surfaces should be smoothly sanded to prevent splinters and abrasions - view our playset comparison page for more information.
- Never allow children to tie items like ropes or pet leashes to swing sets, as these can become a strangulation risk.
We hope that we've given you all some good tips for summer playset safety. Feel free to browse our selection of safety-minded swing sets before you leave!
Have some outdoor fun this summer!
The Kid's Creations Team
