Installing a swing set and swing set parts shouldn’t be taken lightly. Serious injuries can occur due to not following installation instructions and following up with equipment maintenance. Here are a few installation and maintenance instructions that should not be ignored.

Grass and dirt aren’t enough to protect children during a fall off the swing or bars. The area under and around the set needs to be covered with 6 to 12-inches of mulch and wood chips. The swing set needs to be set up in a level area free from tree roots, rocks and other objects that can cause injury if fell upon. Make sure the ground covering extends 6-feet out from the perimeter of the set in all directions. The front and back of the covered area needs to be 2 times the height of the swing as measured from the ground to the top support bar. The ‘fall zone’ should be 6-feet in all directions and free of all obstacles such as fences, trees, shrubs and any other objects with which a child can land. Make sure a ‘S’ hooks are closed and any protruding parts either removed or cut flush eliminating any catch points that will entangle a child’s clothing.

For maintaining a swing set once it’s properly installed, parents should regularly inspect the set for signs of deterioration such as cracked structural parts, rust or corrosion, peeling paint, loose fittings and connections, debris in the play area, missing parts and exposed equipment supports. Parents should make sure children don’t engage in unsafe activities like wrestling, pushing, reckless jumping and playing too close to the swing set when in use. Most swing sets should be replaced after 7 to 10 years of use.