If you are looking for a way to encourage your child to spend more time outdoors and to become more active, you might have thought about investing in a swing set. A swing set is great for providing your little one with a fun place to play, but it can be dangerous if you aren’t careful. Luckily, following these three tips can help you make the swing set as safe as possible for your child.
1. Anchor the Legs in Concrete
You don’t want your child’s swing set to become unstable and to cause a fall in that manner, so make sure that the legs are properly anchored. Many swing sets come with anchors, which are certainly better than nothing, but there is a better option — pouring concrete and ensuring that the legs of the swing set are anchored in it. When pouring this concrete, however, make sure that it is done below ground level and that it is covered by both dirt and mulch to help keep your little one safe.
2. Distribute Playground Mulch Underneath
One of the main ways that your child can get hurt on a swing set is by falling, but distributing a nice layer of playground mulch underneath the swing set will help keep him or her safe. This type of mulch is generally made from things like recycled tyres and is designed to cushion your child’s fall if he or she happens to tumble to the ground. Don’t skimp when installing this mulch, either—go ahead and add a nice, thick coating to help keep your child safe. As time goes by, redistribute new mulch to ensure that your child is always kept as safe as possible.
3. Cover All Metal Parts with Plastic Coating
Make sure that all metal parts–including chains, hooks, bolts and screws–are covered with plastic coating. You can shop online or at a local home improvement store to find colourful plastic coating that can be used to cover these metal parts so that you can prevent little fingers from accidentally getting pinched. When possible, try using cables instead of chains.
You probably wanted to buy a swing set so that your little one can have a good time, but no one will be having fun if your child gets hurt. Luckily, following these three tips can help you ensure that your child–as well as all of his or her friends–can stay as safe as possible while playing.
