Are you adding a swing set to your backyard and don’t know how to keep your child safe? We are here to help! Your child’s safety while they are playing is your number one priority, and it can be hard to know how to keep them safe when they are swinging high in the sky. Our brief guide today walks you through how you can keep your child safe on your swing set.
Keeping your child safe on a swing set – setting rules
The best way to keep your child safe on a swing set is to set some ground rules for the swing. These will teach your child safe swinging practices and help to reduce the chance of an accident. When setting rules for the swings, explain them to your children clearly and why these rules are being set. Remember, they aren’t a punishment, but a way to ensure your child’s safety. You can adjust the rules to suit your child’s needs, but we recommend the five rules below:
- Hold onto both ropes tightly when swinging
- Never stand or climb on the swing; stay sitting at all times
- Only use the swings one at a time
- Keep a safe distance when other children are swinging to prevent getting kicked
- Stop swinging completely before dismounting
All children should be made aware of these rules and supervised when playing on their swings. You can consider putting consequences in place if these rules are broken, and should make any child who uses your swingset aware of these rules. For older children, it might be beneficial to create the rules together, as it can encourage them to follow the rules more closely.
How to make your backyard swing safe for your children
Alongside setting rules for your children, there are several things you can do to make your backyard swing set safer, reducing the chance of accidents. These include adding rubber matting to your garden and properly securing the swingset. Each method is detailed below for you:
Anchor the swingset to the ground
Most swingsets will come with an anchor kit that helps you connect them to the ground. Anchor kits prevent the swing from tipping over or moving when a child is using it, ensuring they are safe. Anchor kits make a swingset more sturdy, and we recommend using one to secure your swing set when you first assemble it. If your swingset does not come with an anchoring kit, you can buy one separately, but make sure it is suitable for your swingset. You also want to check that the anchoring system is appropriate for the ground underneath your swingset.
Add rubber mats
Rubber mats underneath the swing set can offer additional protection to your child on the swing set. Rubber mats offer more padding and protection than grass and other surfaces, cushioning any blow if your child slips off the swing. They also offer protection for the grass underneath the set, so you won’t be left with muddy patches or holes. When adding rubber mats, you will need to ensure they cover the area underneath and around the swingset to provide the ultimate protection for your child.
Ensure the swingset is built correctly
Incorrectly assembled swingsets can be dangerous for your children and can easily break mid-use. When building your swingset, it is essential that you follow the instructions correctly, taking your time to check every screw is placed correctly. Before you start building the swingset, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the instructions, check that you have every piece and the right equipment to build it. If you don’t have everything you need, we recommend waiting to avoid building an unstable swingset.
How to maintain your swingset
Another vital part of keeping your child safe on their swingset is to regularly maintain the swingset. While most swingsets are incredibly durable, you still want to carry out regular maintenance to ensure there aren’t any loose bolts or cracks. Check every area of the swingset and if you notice any damages, stop using it immediately.
You will want to periodically tighten any bolts and screw too and ensure any exposed nails or sharp items are removed or covered. Most brands offer replacement parts for their swingsets, allowing you to swap out broken seats or anchoring systems if needed. Before making any purchases, check the warranty period of your swingset to see if you can claim replacement parts through it.
Find your backyard swingset today
Safety is an important part of owning a swingset and must be considered carefully to ensure your child has fun without hurting themselves. Vuly offers an impressive range of swingsets that are not only fun but will keep your little ones safe. Check out their range of backyard swingsets to see which one is right for your family.
