Swing Set Safety & Maintenance Tips
When considering purchasing a wood swing set, always consider your child's safety. Most of our swing sets require a 6' safety space be placed around the set's perimeter. This is to ensure that your child has plenty of space to enjoy all of the features of the playset without interfering with any surrounding landscape features, i.e. trees, fences and driveways. Look out for any features that may interfere with another.
- Once your play set is installed we recommend sealing the lumber as soon as possible or within 90 days and annually thereafter (or as suggested by the sealant you use) to weather protect it. This will extend the life of your play set and is required by warranty.
- It is recommended that on site adult supervision for children of all ages be present while playground equipment is in use.
- Please keep children from walking close to, in front of, behind or between moving items.
- Keep children from twisting swing chains or ropes since this may reduce the strength of these items.
- Warn children to avoid swinging empty seats.
- Teach children to sit in center of swings with their full weight on the swing seats.
- Teach children to use the playground equipment in the intended manner.
- Teach children not to get off play equipment while still in motion.
- Parents should make sure children are dressed appropriately. For example; wear well fitting clothing, shoes, avoid ponchos, and scarves or any loose fitting clothing, which is potentially hazardous while using the playground equipment.
- Keep children from climbing on playground equipment when wet.
- Check all nuts and bolts twice monthly during the usage season for tightness. Tighten as required. It is particularly important to check & tighten bolts at the beginning of each season.
- Check swings, chains, and slides for cracks or deterioration. Replacement should be made at first sign of deterioration.
- Playgrounds should be inspected on a regular basis. If any of the following conditions are noted, they should be removed, corrected or repaired immediately to prevent injuries:
- Hardware that is loose or worn, or that has protrusions or projections.
- Exposed equipment footings.
- Scattered debris, litter, rocks, or tree roots.
- Rust and chipped paint on metal components.
- Splinters, large crack, and decayed wood components.
- Deterioration and corrosion on structural components, which connect to the ground.
- Missing or damaged equipment components, such as handholds, guardrails, swing seats.