A few things to consider before you buy a
swing set:
Having a swing set in the backyard for their children is
probably every parent’s dream. They provide a great
way for the kids to exercise and develop strength,
balance, use their creative imagination and increase
their resistance against many types of allergies, but
there are some things to consider before buying.
Pricing:
Since most young families today live on a tight budget,
pricing is a major factor when you start planning for
your swing set as they can cost anywhere from a few
hundred dollars for a basic set, up to several thousands
for more elaborate set with many features.
Safety:
While safety may not be in the thoughts of children
when they are playing on their swing set, it is in the
minds of the parents. Safety is definitely a primary
concern. Each year, more than 200,000 children go to
the emergency room with injuries associated with
playground equipment. Most are related to falls from the
equipment to the ground. Many can be easily
prevented. Items to check include the hardware; are
there any open "S" hooks or protruding bolt ends? Does
the equipment have any sharp edges or points? Are
there any spaces that could trap children, such as
openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs? Does
the play set have any metal accessories (slides,
monkey bars, etc.) made of any metals that can reach
temperatures high enough to cause serious contact
burn when used? Different swing sets and
manufacturers offer different safety features so check
them out thoroughly before buying. Check the children
clothing and shoes before they go on the swing set.
Loose strings, loops and shoe laces are a major cause
of injuries. Keep the play area, around the swing set
free of roots that can cause falls, any kind of debris that
doesn't belong there and cover holes or grooves left by
any previous swing set or other structure.
Backyard layout:
The size, slope and layout of your yard will factor into
your final decision. You do not want a play set that
overpowers the layout of your yard, but instead
compliments your yard and overall home appeal. In
short, you want the right fit for the size of your yard.
Also, it is important that you have enough level space
suited for a swing set. If your yard is rocky or sloping in
several places, you may need to landscape or level that
section of the yard prior to assembling the unit.
Consider other issues such as drainage and the type of
material that will be used under and around the play
set. In other words, is grass adequate for breaking any
potential spills? Should you pad the surface with mulch,
pea gravel, shredded rubber or some other kind of
cushioning material? With statistics showing us that 70
percent of play set injuries are caused by falls to the
ground, the type of impact-absorbing surface that you
have under the play set is definitely an important
consideration and the pricing for it should also be a
factor because they can add to the cost considerably.
swing set:
Having a swing set in the backyard for their children is
probably every parent’s dream. They provide a great
way for the kids to exercise and develop strength,
balance, use their creative imagination and increase
their resistance against many types of allergies, but
there are some things to consider before buying.
Pricing:
Since most young families today live on a tight budget,
pricing is a major factor when you start planning for
your swing set as they can cost anywhere from a few
hundred dollars for a basic set, up to several thousands
for more elaborate set with many features.
Safety:
While safety may not be in the thoughts of children
when they are playing on their swing set, it is in the
minds of the parents. Safety is definitely a primary
concern. Each year, more than 200,000 children go to
the emergency room with injuries associated with
playground equipment. Most are related to falls from the
equipment to the ground. Many can be easily
prevented. Items to check include the hardware; are
there any open "S" hooks or protruding bolt ends? Does
the equipment have any sharp edges or points? Are
there any spaces that could trap children, such as
openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs? Does
the play set have any metal accessories (slides,
monkey bars, etc.) made of any metals that can reach
temperatures high enough to cause serious contact
burn when used? Different swing sets and
manufacturers offer different safety features so check
them out thoroughly before buying. Check the children
clothing and shoes before they go on the swing set.
Loose strings, loops and shoe laces are a major cause
of injuries. Keep the play area, around the swing set
free of roots that can cause falls, any kind of debris that
doesn't belong there and cover holes or grooves left by
any previous swing set or other structure.
Backyard layout:
The size, slope and layout of your yard will factor into
your final decision. You do not want a play set that
overpowers the layout of your yard, but instead
compliments your yard and overall home appeal. In
short, you want the right fit for the size of your yard.
Also, it is important that you have enough level space
suited for a swing set. If your yard is rocky or sloping in
several places, you may need to landscape or level that
section of the yard prior to assembling the unit.
Consider other issues such as drainage and the type of
material that will be used under and around the play
set. In other words, is grass adequate for breaking any
potential spills? Should you pad the surface with mulch,
pea gravel, shredded rubber or some other kind of
cushioning material? With statistics showing us that 70
percent of play set injuries are caused by falls to the
ground, the type of impact-absorbing surface that you
have under the play set is definitely an important
consideration and the pricing for it should also be a
factor because they can add to the cost considerably.
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Webpage maintained by Arco-Iris Services LLC
Webpage maintained by Arco-Iris Services LLC
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