When selecting your swing set structure site, always keep the child’s safety in mind. Here are some recommendations to help you create a safe play area for your swing set:
- The play set should be located on level ground.
- The stationary components such as ladders and slides are required to be a minimum of six feet from any structure or obstruction such as a fence, garage, house, tree or overhanging branches, electrical wires or clotheslines.
- Any swinging equipment is also required to be a minimum distance twice the height of the swing beam away from these obstructions or structures as well.
- We also recommend that you do not install your play set near a lake, river, swimming pool or other water hazard.
- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that you install and maintain a resilient surface under your play equipment.
- The CPSC’s Consumer Information Sheet for playground surfacing materials.
- A resilient surface should be installed after the equipment has been completely assembled according to these instructions. The equipment must rest on solid ground.
- Please note that this product has a maximum fall height of 8’.
Do not install home playground equipment indoors, or over concrete, asphalt, packed earth, grass, carpet or any other hard surface. A fall onto a hard surface can result in serious or fatal injury. Responsible on-site adult supervision is one of the most important contributions to children’s safety that you can make. ChildLife strongly recommends onsite adult supervision of children of all ages. Safe swinging and climbing skills need to be taught to children, just like any other physical activity. The weight limit for any single user on ChildLife play equipment is 200 pounds. Limit the number of users to one on each swing. The tower portion of the play system will accommodate four (4) additional users. When the time comes to disassemble and dispose of the play equipment, do so in such a way that no hazards will exist at the time the equipment is discarded.
Read our post about how to maintain your wood playset.