It’s hard to believe that we made it through this winter, that the snows are finally behind us and that we can finally see the grass in our backyards. Ironically, I am writing this in the midst of the pre-Purim snowfall and am using this article as a means of maintaining my sanity. After all, if I am submitting my April article, spring can’t be all that far away, can it? So instead of thinking about snow and ice, I am turning my thoughts towards…swing sets.
One of the best parts of spring when you live in a place with cold winters is that once the warm weather rolls around, your kids rediscover all the things they haven’t been able to play with for months and dive into them whole-heartedly with endless amounts of enthusiasm. But before you send the kids out to play in your own mini-playground, take the time to do some all-important maintenance.
It goes without saying that when it comes to your kids, safety is always your number one priority, which means grabbing your tool box and going outside to do a visual inspection of your backyard gear. Do a comprehensive assessment from top to bottom, checking all the nuts, bolts and screws that hold your apparatus together and tighten up anything that looks loose. You may need to order replacement parts if you find anything broken or cracked, including swings, chains and protective end caps. While you can usually order parts through the manufacturer, try your luck online and see if you can score a better deal on the Internet. Don’t forget to oil or grease all moving parts, checking either the manufacturer’s website or the paperwork that came with the swing set to find out what is the best lubricant to use. If your swing set has a metal slide, grab a piece of waxed paper, crumple it up, and rub it up and down repeatedly on your slide. The wax will lubricate the slide and your kids will thank you for your efforts as they go whizzing down the slide faster than ever.
Don’t forget to pay close attention to your swing set’s frame. If it’s made out of metal, check for rust: while small rust spots can be sanded down and primed with a rust inhibiting primer and then painted (do yourself a favor and get spray paint for both of these jobs – it will save you tons of time), larger rust spots and broken or cracked pieces may need to be replaced. For wooden swing sets, sand down any protruding splinters and take the time to treat it annually with a protective sealant. It will keep it in shape for years to come. Painting a wooden swing set is a great way to spruce up tired-looking equipment starting to show its age, but be sure to wash it down thoroughly before either staining or painting it.
It might be a little like shutting the barn door after the horse has already escaped, but if you live in areas with harsh winters, it is probably a good idea to take off all plastic swing seats, canopies and any other easily removable accessories before the cold weather sets in next fall. Not only will you have a lot less cleaning come springtime, but you will also save money by not having to replace these items after they become compromised by exposure to the elements.
Don’t forget to inspect the base area below your swing set, which should be filled with mulch, shredded rubber, sand or pea gravel. Chances are that whatever cushioning material you put down previously has been depleted over time, so replenish – this way when your kids take a tumble, and they inevitably will, their landing is that much softer. Also, be sure to rake out the area under your swing set to make sure that there are no unpleasant and possibly dangerous surprises lurking underfoot.
Over 51,000 children sustain injuries related to backyard play equipment each year according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission over 80 percent are attributable to falls, which means that your job doesn’t end once your pre-season maintenance is completed and you give your little ones the green light to go out and enjoy. While your kids will probably roll their eyes when you give them reminders about swing set safety, do it anyway. They will likely think you are being unreasonable or overprotective when you tell them not to stand on top of the frame or that they can’t hang annoying younger siblings upside down from the highest point, but being a parent means having to make unpopular decisions.
Teach your kids not to walk in front or behind the swings when others are swinging and not to go down the slide if there is already someone else on it. You can try telling your kids not to stand on the slide and only to go down feet first but based on my own experiences, they won’t actually listen.
Make sure your kids are not wearing any drawstrings, cords or long necklaces which can get caught in the equipment and create a potential strangulation hazard.
For those of you with metal swing sets, make sure you touch the equipment before you let your kids out to play in the really hot weather. You’d be amazed just how hot a metal slide can get when it is situated in direct sunlight.
Remember that your swing set will need periodic safety checks, so be sure to monitor it regularly, tightening up anything that loosens up, looking for sharp edges and oiling moving parts.
It goes without saying that proper supervision is a must when your kids are playing outside.
Remember that not all swing sets are appropriate for children of all ages and what works for your adventurously enthusiastic seven-year-old is probably not going to be a great activity for your toddler.
Finally, take the time to enjoy the kids as they enjoy their newfound freedom, outdoor play areas and the (finally) warm weather. After a winter like this, we have all certainly earned it!