by Mick Marten

Created on: December 24, 2008   Last Updated: December 30, 2008

Making your child's swing set safe starts at the purchase, by considering the children who will be playing on it. What a child needs and can handle will vary. Obviously, as a child ages and becomes stronger and more coordinated, he or she will also be able to handle more challenging play equipment, so check the age recommendations on the swing set you are purchasing. Make sure you are buying the right equipment for your child.

The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission's handbook on public playground safety (www.cpsc.gov) states that the surface material under play equipment is one of the most important considerations. Injuries from falls account for many of the estimated 156,000 public playground injuries every year in the U.S., and surface materials can go a long way toward mitigating this. The CPSC recommends nine inches of loose fill, such as wood fiber, pea gravel, or shredded rubber under play equipment to prevent head injuries. Less material than this will tend to pack down or get kicked away. A lawn just isn't adequate; grass will wear away, and the dirt underneath can become very hard. Use the amount of fill that is recommended for public playgrounds; if someone gets hurt, it will matter little whether it happened in a public or private setting, so do what you can to prevent it. Soft, well-maintained fill material around a swing set is a simple way to prevent injuries.

The location of the swing set is also important. Consider things like adjacent roads, if pets will be in the area, drainage, and even exposure to the sun. One consideration is the visibility of the play area. Children on a play structure require supervision; setting up the play set in a place that can easily be seen, such as out a window of your home, or adjacent to a patio or garden where you spend a great deal of time is a good idea. Closely monitor any children playing on a swing set or play structure.

Lastly, inspect the equipment frequently. Protrusions, pinch points, frayed ropes, and sharp edges are all hazards, and these things can occur over time on equipment which was initially fine. Make sure the structure is sound, all bolts are covered or recessed, there are no places for a child's clothing to snag, especially if a child will be playing with bulky cold-weather clothing on, and check for overall good condition. Don't accept risks; correct them before play begins.

Our children bring us joy as they learn and grow, but they depend on us to protect them. Be protective when it comes to backyard play equipment. Your child will spend a great deal of time on your swing set, so spend some time making sure that it is a safe and fun place for them to be.

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