Wooden Swing Sets : Always Think Safety First
All across the country, residential wooden swing sets are becoming quite popular and are fast becoming a desirable yard attraction for the family. These swing sets provide form and function for an otherwise bare backyard. Moreover, wooden swing sets are simply great play areas for the children and, for many parents, they serve as timeless icons of their youthful past.
Traditionally, backyard swings are constructed either from old tires or from a piece of lumber attached to a strong rope. These early swings allow children and parents to strengthen their bond within the safe boundaries of home. Today’s wooden swing sets provide the same enjoyment and security in easy-to-assemble construction kits.
Wooden Swing Sets Are Changing
The newer swing sets have become more elaborate with provisions for attaching various modular accessories. This allows for constructing an entire mini-playground, which may include other activity features such as a slide, monkey bars, rope ladders, a sliding pole or other similar playground objects.
However, while wooden swing sets are loads of fun for children, there are also safety concerns associated with their construction and use. The materials in some swing sets may be too light that it may break under the weight of a growing child over time. The joints and supports may be sub-standard that it may give way eventually causing a child to fall and be injured.
It is therefore not advisable to just settle for any swing set that is cheap and available. Remember that, when shopping for wooden swing sets, safety always comes first and that a thorough check is required to avert any disastrous injury to your children.
Safety Checklist for Wooden Swing Sets
In general, the larger and more complex the swing set the greater the potential for danger. This is not to say that you should altogether steer clear of wooden swing sets complete with all the amenities your child may want in a home playground. Nevertheless, keep in mind of a few safety precautions when purchasing, building and maintaining a swing set for your kids to play with at home.
1.Match the swing set to the age of the child. In many occasions, the smaller children are the ones at risk of injury because the playset was designed for older children. Make sure the playground equipment is age appropriate.
2.Install the swing set on a safe playing area. The recommendation is to keep a 6-foot perimeter around the swing set to give adequate room for children to move around. The playing surface should also be made of a suitable material 7 to 12 inches deep to cushion falls. Common materials for playing surface are sand, pea gravel and double-shredded rubber.
3.Inspect the quality of the playset. To ensure the safety of children, wooden swing sets should be checked for weak joints and connections before buying and on a regular basis. Any damage or wear that may potentially lead to a nasty fall should be repaired immediately. With proper maintenance, wooden swing sets should be able to provide years of fun for your growing kids.
Mike McCube -
About the Author:Outdoor swing sets are quite popular amongst kids available at http://www.creativeplaythings.com
