The laughter of children having fun on playground sets is like music to a parent’s ears. But that can turn to horror when an accident happens. And every year, thousands of children suffer injuries on these outdoor systems. Most of the time, the accidents could have been prevented.
It all begins with choosing the right playground set for your family. While there are many tempting options—including bargain prices and exciting add-ons—you must put safety as your first priority. Here are five ways to choose a playground set that is safe and fun.
#1. Select a safe construction material.
When considering a playground set, you can choose from plastic, metal, and wood. Plastic is colorful and eye-catching but isn’t durable. Be prepared to replace it in a few years. Metal can rust and crack. The weight of a child on a playground set with an unseen crack is a formula for danger. In addition, metal conducts heat—which you know if you ever sat on a metal slide on a hot, summer day! A playground set that is “too hot to handle” is a risk for your child.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends wood, because it presents the best option for a safe, lasting playground set. Avoid any woods, like southern yellow pine, that have been chemically treated to resist decay and insects; instead, choose a wood that does this naturally, like cypress, cedar, or redwood.
#2. Size matters.
About 70 percent of playground accidents occur from falls. You can minimize the injury risk by installing a swing set that is sized for your family. Choose a slide that doesn’t have a tall ladder; a five-foot deck height is just right. Look at the height of the crossbeams; if it’s higher than seven feet, it’s too high for monkey bars for young kids. Also be sure to provide at least 22 inches between swings to avoid turning your swings into bumper cars.
#3. Choose activities that match your child’s age.
Bigger swings, climbing walls, and hurricane slides might have your children begging, “Please!” when you are shopping for your family’s playground set, but pay careful attention to the age guidelines for the activities. Also be sure that ladders and handles are sized for your child’s feet and hands, and feature non-slip grips.
By choosing a modular set, you can add on as your child grows, swapping out a bucket swing, for example, to a rope swing. Expand with a climbing wall, monkey bars, or other age-appropriate option when your child is ready for bigger challenges.
#4. Make room for the playground set.
Before you start shopping for your playground set, determine where you will install it in your yard, and how much area you can dedicate to it. For safe play, you need to allocate sufficient space beyond the footprint of the set. The CPSC recommends you allow at least six feet beyond the end of the slide for safe landings and four feet on either side. The swinging area should be equal to twice the height of the crossbeam. If you have a seven-foot crossbeam, be sure you have at least 14 feet on either side (front and back) of the playground set.
#5. Create a safe surface.
Just as you would carpet a playroom, you need to pay attention to the surface where you will install your playground set. You can cushion the inevitable falls by covering the area with shredded rubber, cedar chips, or loose fill. A six- to eight-inch depth is a good rule of thumb for effective cushioning. A rubber mat is another option for a gentle surface. Also, keep the area clear of branches, rocks, toys, skateboards, bikes, and any other items that could present a hazard if a child falls on it. If it isn’t part of the playground set, keep it out of the play area!
The most important aspect of child safety during any play activity is proper supervision. Your playground set should be situated in your line of sight from the house so that when the kids are outside playing, you can keep an eye on the activity. By playing it smart, your kids can play it safe.
