Since public playgrounds have been closed due to COVID-19, many families have invested in home swing sets for outdoor fun. Playing safely and staying out of the emergency room is always a priority for families, but even more so during this time when hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that over 80% of home playground injuries requiring emergency medical care result from falls or equipment failure. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips to keep your children safe during their outdoor recreation activities.
Selecting a Backyard Swing Set
Choosing the right backyard swing set is an important step in creating a safe outdoor play environment. Make sure that there is a minimum of 22 inches of separation between swings. Slides should be less than ten feet long, with a maximum deck height of five feet. Ramps or ladders should not be mounted next to the slide.
Setting Up Your Swing Set
Set the swing set up in a level location in your yard. Make sure it is away from overhanging objects, such as tree limbs, that can be reached from the structure. If possible, try to set up in a shaded area to prevent overheating of any plastic or metal parts. Leave a minimum of eight feet of clearance around all side of the swing set, as well as at least ten feet behind and in front of the swings. If there is a slide, make sure to create a soft landing area. Use sand, pea gravel, mulch, or rubberized surface material as a base for the play area. Follow all manufacturer instructions for installation.
Play Safely
Set up safety rules for using the swing set and enforce them with your children. If ages vary significantly, allow the children of similar ages to use the swing set together rather than everyone playing at the same time. Follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding the number of children and amount of weight the playset can support. Do not allow children to play on the swing set unsupervised.
If your child has been injured due to malfunctioning playground equipment, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
