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Home- Swing sets
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Maintaining a Backyard Playground
It is imperative that you routinely
inspect your playground equipment in order to prevent injuries, as well
as to prevent damage to the equipment itself and the surrounding area.
Playground equipment can be damaged over time by active play and
inclement weather, which can hinder the safety of the playground
equipment. Therefore, you need to be sure that your playground equipment
functions properly. Check the nuts and bolts at least twice each month,
and tighten any loose ones. Make any necessary repairs to the hardware;
and oil all of the moving parts according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Be sure that protective caps and plugs are securely in
place over the bolt and tubing ends. Watch for indications of wear and
tear of the equipment such as any broken or missing parts, bent pipes,
and splintering or decaying of wood surfaces. On a monthly basis,
inspect swing sets, chains, ropes and cables for deterioration, and
repair or replace as needed. When necessary, clean playground surfaces
and repaint any rusted areas of the equipment with paint that is
non-lead based.
Check the area around the equipment for harmful debris such as broken
glass, sharp rocks or sticks. This should be done every time that
children will be playing in the area.
Playground surfaces must be checked on a regular basis. The amount of
maintenance will depend on the type of surface you have installed. The
loose-fill surface materials need recurrent raking, and sometimes
tiling, in order to remove debris and level the surface. Also, add new
materials to the surface when needed, which is normally once or twice
per year. Loose materials such as sand, rocks and leaves must be swept
on a regular basis to prevent slipping and falling.
Rubber tiles, rubber mats and poured-in surfaces need less maintenance,
but should be inspected on a regular basis. Watch for gouges, burns or
loosened areas and repair as needed.
Keep the area around your playground equipment clean and free of litter
and obstructions that could cause injuries. This would include fallen
tree limbs, sharp sticks, large rocks and yard tools such as rakes.
Drainage must be maintained for the playground surface to prevent water
from pooling, thereby creating a breeding ground for mold and other
bacteria.
Backyard safety is extremely important. Therefore, take a few minutes
each week to make sure that your playground equipment is in good working
order, and that the area around it is clean and safe.
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