Safety 101: Wooden Swing Sets

It is imperative to have a good comprehension of wooden swing set safety before your children set foot on the unit to play. They should also be made aware of all of the rules and risks if they fail to play safely. It is also important to think of safety when purchasing the unit as well. This article will offer suggestions and key points for contemplation when purchasing a wood swing set.

Excellent construction, along with strong wood and hardware, will make a good long-lasting swing set for your kids to play on. There are numerous supplies that can be used in the construction of a wood swing set which may include metal, steel, plastic, wood, or a mixture of several similar types. Some manufacturers that offer a plastic and wood arrangement are Monkey Playsystems and Gorilla Playsets. These two corporations make use of this idea and make high quality play sets. Monkey Playsystems uses lumber that has a protective plastic sleeve around the wood. As a result of having all of the lumber in this shielding sleeve, the plaything’s virtually maintenance free. That means that you will not have to sand or re-stain at a later date. Gorilla Playsets uses this same sort of enclosed lumber, but it is only used on the support beams and not used on the entire play set. This means that you will need to sandpaper or re-stain the parts of the lumber that are not covered with the plastic coating sooner or later.

The way you construct the unit is important as well. You will want to keep in mind the way your children will use it and how you can prevent injuries so your kids don’t get hurt. When you begin construction of the structure, you will need to decide if you are going to hire a licensed builder to complete the job. If you are versatile in the construction trade and decide to complete it by yourself, make sure you to complete all the steps of the installation process. Follow the guidebook so that the swing set is built properly. Browse for wood swing sets that have built in safety qualities. One thing to look for is extra height in the playhouse. This is key so that as the child grows, they will not hit their heads. Another thing to look for is safety grips for the ladders and fort or tower openings. Look for angled access stepladders that have wide and flat steps as these are safer for kids as they climb into the playhouse. If the swing set you buy has a fort or tower, you will want to make sure it has a protective roof such as a canvas or a wood roof as this characteristic will offer some defense from the sunshine and will present some shade.

One additional element that you need to think about is the protective ground covering which goes beneath and around the entire swingset. Rubber mulch is a fantastic product and can be purchased in volume. Rubber mulch is obtainable in quite a few colors, which is good because you can match it to your backyard landscaping. The manufacturers offer suggestions for ground cover and this information will be outlined in the directions. Also outlined in the instruction booklet is a safe play checklist which must be reviewed with your children so they learn the rules. Data shows that 60% of all injuries are caused by falls to the ground so by having a protective surface, you can help protect your kids from this.