Playground Gifts for the Holidays

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Scott Burton, President

Safety Play, Inc.

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Playground equipment gets popular at Holiday time (and even afterwards)

What better way to get little hearts pumping than to show the kids a new playground wrapped in a bow? None! A new playground in your backyard is sure to bring enjoyment for years to come. As an ex-owner of a manufacturing company, I enjoyed helping my "elves" set them up on Christmas Eve.

Let's keep it a memorable event, year after year, by following some simple rules so that the children do not become injured, or worse.

What do we look or ask for?

NOTE: if you are not ready to buy protective surfacing to go around your new unit, pass it up altogether. Lack of it is not worth the head concussion that it can create.

First, ask the supplier if their equipment conforms to ASTM F1148-98. These are the national safety standards that the manufacturer must comply to. Remember, your child's safety is at risk here. Have them prove to you, by way of either written literature or contract, that what you purchase will pass these standards. This is very important.

Next, check a few things out for yourself to make sure they comply with these rules. Here is a list of some simple items for you to check. Please remember that these do not represent a complete set of rules, rather, a general compilation of them:

• To prevent head and neck entrapment (strangulation) make certain that there are no holes or gaps 3-1/2" x 6.2" up to 9" in diameter. Check between railings, platforms, rungs, etc. The only time it is not an issue is when the ground is a lower boundary of that gap. There is more to this test, but this covers the basics.
• See that platforms OVER 30" and UP TO 48" above the protective surfacing have guardrails at least 25" high to prevent falling over the sides. Platforms over 48" high and up to 72" high must have protective barriers at least 27" high, while those platforms over 72" high need barriers at least 33" high. Barriers cannot allow gaps 3-1/2" x 6.2" or larger.
• There shall be no sharp edges, points, and surfaces.
• Handgripping components that support body weight must be no more than 1.55" outside diameter.
• Projections can penetrate the temple, eye socket, cause internal damages, or even be an entanglement hazard (strangulation). See that the equipment does not have any bolts, etc. that are more than two threads past the nuts. No PERPENDICULAR protrusion (such as swing hanger bolts) can be more than 1/8" above horizontal. Slides cannot have ANY PERPENDICULAR projection that is more than 1/8" in any direction. There are some exceptions and details to these rules but are too numerous to list.
• Last but not least, DO NOT allow any loose ropes on the equipment. They must always be anchored at both ends. Swings are exempt.

Above all, pay attention to the warning labels that SHOULD come with all playground equipment to warn about the do's and don'ts. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me during daytime hours toll-free at 1-888-878-0244. Remember, your kids are worth the precaution that you take!

Credits

Scott Burton is the President of Safety Play, Inc., and is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). He has designed, manufactured, audited and inspected thousands of different types of areas and equipment. He was a former owner of a Florida company which was responsible for planning, design, writing specifications, purchasing, manufacturing & installation supervision, determining surfacing specifications, and providing worldwide sales of playground equipment.

He is currently involved with the creation of the International Playground Standards, and is a feature author for KidSource OnLine. He can be contacted via:

Scott Burton, President
Safety Play, Inc.
Specialists in Recreational Safety
http://www.mindspring.com/~safetyplay
#295 - 10460 Roosevelt Blvd.
St. Petersburg, Fl., U.S., 33716
(727)-522-0061 (Phone & Fax)