Safety and Maintenance Tips for Your New Playset
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: 1. Hardware that is loose or worn, or that has protrusions or projections. 2. Exposed equipment footings. 3. Scattered debris, litter, rocks, or tree roots. 4. Rust and chipped paint on metal components. 5. Splinters, large cracks, and decayed wood components. 6. Deterioration and corrosion on structural components, which contact the ground. 7. Missing or damaged equipment components, such as hand holds, guardrails, swing seats. Playset Surfacing Recommendations: Please refer to The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Handbook for Public Playground Safety. Protective Surfacing Since almost 60% of all injuries are caused by falls to the ground, protective surfacing under and around all playground equipment is the most critical safety factor on playgrounds. Certain manufactured synthetic surfaces also are acceptable; however, test data on shock absorbing performance should be requested from the manufacturer. Asphalt and concrete are unacceptable. They do not have any shock absorbing properties. Similarly, grass and turf should not be used. Their ability to absorb shock during a fall can be reduced considerably through wear and environmental conditions. Please consult your owners manual for the recommended Surfacing and depth of that Surfacing to ensure maximum safety. |