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Playground Safety

Roger Stitt

2004-08-01 09:19:00

Question: I am thinking about buying a play set. Where do I look? Once I find a play set that I like, what questions should I ask?

ANSWER: You can begin with the Internet.  It will provide the information on the large manufacturers that mail order. It is suggested when you decide on your purchase, look at the yellow pages under playground equipment for a local dealer. This will enable you to go direct and take a test run before you buy. Some questions that can be helpful are to ask about the company and their reputation. • How long have they been in business?• Warranty, since it is only as good as the    company backing it, how many nationwide    locations do they have? • Is play equipment their sole business?   It might also be good to ask a few    questions about the product.• Is it expandable? • Can you add to it as your child grows? • Is it portable? • Can you move it with you if you decide    to move? • How easy is it to customize and move? The    more difficult, the less likely you'll utilize    its full potential.• Are you going to get the most for your    initial dollars?Safety features…these are a must!• What, are the weight restrictions?• How is it built?• What type of wood is used and how    durable is it? (Avoid treated lumber)• Is the lumber heavy and durable and will    the hardware withstand the test of time?• If you choose to set it up yourself, is it    user friendly? • What types of tools are required?• What is the time frame for set up? • Can you do it the night before the    surprise birthday party?• Is professional installation available? Last but certainly not least….the final question that is an absolute MUST. • Is it fun to play on??

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Playground Safety

Roger Stitt

2004-07-01 09:50:00

Question:  My kids love their backyard play equipment, but I'm tired of it being a muddy mess. I'm thinking of paving it. Any suggestions?

ANSWER:  Paying close attention to the ground surface underneath your play equipment is important not only for aesthetics, but for safety as well. All surface materials on, under, or near playground equipment need to be maintained regularly, covering all appropriate areas, especially the fall zones. Although more pleasing to eye, concrete, asphalt, and blacktop are unsafe and unacceptable. Neither are grass, soil, and packed-earth surfaces because their shock-absorbing ability is affected by weather and wear.A proper playground surface is one of the most important factors in reducing injuries, or severity of injuries, due to falls. The surface under playground equipment must be both soft and thick enough to absorb the shock of the falls.Acceptable surfaces are loosely filled with materials like wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or shredded rubber. These surfaces help to cushion most falls. Surfacing mats made of safety-tested, rubber-like materials may also be used. Surface materials must be at least 9-12 inches deep and must not be packed down because this will lessen any cushioning effect.The playground surface should be free of standing water and debris that could cause a child to trip and fall, such as rocks, tree stumps, and tree roots. The best surfaces to allow anyone in a wheelchair to access a playground are wood chips and rubber mats.Surface materials on any playground need to cover appropriate-sized fall zones (the areas surrounding any equipment where children could possibly fall.) Fall zones recommended by the NPPS (National Program for Playground Safety) include:• Climbing equipment: a minimum of 6 ft. in every direction.• Slides: am minimum of 6 ft. in every direction-and adding 4 ft. to the height of the slide gives a good estimate as to how much surfacing should be beyond the exit slope of the slide.• Swings: in front and back, two times the height of the swing set, and 6 ft. on either side of the swing set support beams.• Swings should be made of rubber or canvas, not wood or metal, and there should be:• At least 8 in. between suspended swings.• At least an 8-inch clearance between the ground and underside of swing seat.

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Playground Safety

Roger Stitt

2004-06-01 12:04:00

Question:  I am looking for outdoor playground equipment for my twin girls (age 2). My husband wants to buy a "manly playground" that will take up half of our backyard but I don't think that is necessary. Can you give me some information about different playgrounds for different ages?

ANSWER:  A play system can be an investment just as any other addition to your home's landscape. First, you are headed in the right direction by asking for help in making your decision. A 'knowledgeable consumer' is less likely to regret the decision he/she makes. The "manly playground" as you've referred to it, may be the best decision as long as you plan to maintain it as they grow. Many play systems are built to allow your children to grow into them not out of them! Besides, keeping our landfills clean of broken down, rusty play sets can be another investment in your child's future.Let's talk about the frame of your new play system. By choosing a heavy-duty frame, it should last long after your children have grown. Choose a play system that is made from untreated; cedar or redwood. This will reduce the risk of rotting wood or the wood being destroyed by bugs. Cedar and redwood are slow to rot and bug resistant (bugs do not like the smell of it). Also, untreated wood will reduce the risk of children getting splinters that may become infected from the chemicals used to treat the wood. All you will need to do to maintain your play system is apply a water sealant periodically to prevent the wood from warping. After the children have grown and gone, you can enjoy your frame with a porch swing… until the grandchildren arrive that is!Accessories for your play frame are items that may be purchased as your growing children's needs change. Start with the items that fit the age of your children now. Then, as they grow out of the toddler-staged equipment, they can progress to "big kids" accessories. Not only is this extremely cost effective, but also helps avoid the risk of children attempting to play on a piece of equipment that is not suitable for their age group. When shopping for new accessories, find a company that has units set up and ready for kids. Sit back and watch your children's imagination go to work. What you may think is 'cool', may not be the piece that will hold their attention. Don't worry though; this is just a learning process to prepare you for when they become teenagers!

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Playground Safety

Roger Stitt

2004-04-01 13:46:00

Question:  What can I teach my children about playground safety?

ANSWER:  Safe playground equipment and adult supervision are extremely important, but only half of the equation. Kids must learn how to be safe and act responsibly at the playground. Here are a few guidelines to have them follow:• Never push or roughhouse while on the playground (even on sand, hands and knees can be scraped and feelings hurt).• Never use playground equipment that is the slightest bit damp; it can become slick and cause them to fall.• In summertime, playground equipment can become extremely hot. Teach them to "test the waters" before playing; if it's too hot to touch it's too hot to play on.• Children should leave bikes, backpacks, and other accessories in a designated spot. Items left randomly around the playground can cause children to trip and fall.• If your child likes to jump off climbing toys, make certain he/she knows to check that there are no other children in their way. Teach them to land on both feet with their knees slightly bent.• Clothing can be dangerous. Make sure your child knows not to wear clothes with drawstrings or other strings at the playground. Strings pose a strangulation hazard because they can get caught on equipment.Adult supervision can help prevent injuries by making sure kids don't engage in unsafe behavior and improper use of the playground equipment. In the event that an injury does occur, adult supervision also allows for quick first aid action to be taken. Before you visit a neighborhood playground, check to make sure that play areas are designed to allow a parent or teacher a clear view of children on all equipment. As the adult, it is up to you to make the playground a place that's entertaining and safe for your children by checking equipment for potential hazards and setting some rules for them to follow. Teaching your kids how to play safely is important. If they know the rules of the playground, it is less likely they'll become injured. Kids will be kids, and we don't want to overprotect them. But, it is our responsibility to ensure that boundaries are set to allow them fun and freedom without injury.

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Playground Safety

Roger Stitt

2004-04-01 11:46:00

Question:  Do you have some tips for fun activities for kids during summer vacation that will keep them occupied?

ANSWER:  Around this time each year parents everywhere realize they have let another school year fly-by and they begin to scramble. Checking the availability of last summer's babysitter, filling out day camp registration forms and planning that family trip. Hopefully the following quick sun activities for children will help not only your sanity but also keep you entertained as well:• Have a water balloon toss• Play limbo in the backyard sprinklers• Have a picnic- eat watermelon and count   the seeds!• Make a summer memory scrapbook• Get out of the heat and go see a movie! • Have a sponge toss- take soaked sponges   and throw them at a designated taget