What kid does not want his own playground? Modern manufacturing technology is making it more and easier to own and even install your very own backyard play set for the kids. Way back, a play set is considered more of a luxury than a necessity, however in today’s digital world, it is becoming the latter – if not to get the kids away from their screens and do actual physical playtime. And these days THAT is becoming more and more relevant especially when you have several children in the family.
Before, it is quite the feat to source this equipment or find outdoor playground equipment for sale that is reasonably priced to even consider. However, backyard play sets have come a long way from being the hard plastics and metals of yesterday. Many are now made of lightweight but very sturdy materials. Most are even made of inflatable materials that are super safe for children and have very attractive colors and design.
Not only can you find outdoor playground equipment for sale but many companies also install them. You can find these companies locally or online, Just make sure to exercise due diligence when transacting online of course. Unless you are a professional builder yourself, it is always best to have these installed by a professional rather than DIY. There are just too many factors that may affect the safety of your children to overlook if you opt to do it yourself.
When purchasing a play set, think about future proofing the design. Many of these products will last for a long time and rather than purchase for what the kid’s age is right now, but something that can be suitable for a wider range of ages, so the set will provide years of use for your kid. In addition, spend on durability, higher quality materials, and safety features rather than on how elaborate or extravagant your play set is. There are also products that can actually fit various age groups just by interchanging some accessories. You can simply switch out these items as your child matures. In addition, there are also fully modular systems available that not only offer switchable systems BUT actually structurally expand as the need arises with growing children.
Upon installation, always be on the lookout for entrapment hazards especially if you have climbing nets installed with the play set. Ensure that there is enough or that the ground is covered in the correct depth of Mulch to cushion a child’s fall. Most of the playground injuries are caused by falls on the ground that has not been prepared thoroughly by a protective covering. Prevention is always better than quick fixes, so inspect the play set regularly – look out for missing parts, corrosion, rotten wood, and loose screws before children are allowed to use them.
What is key however is to let professional do the installation, and where possible take out a contract for annual or biannual safety and maintenance checks from the installers. This ensures that your play set is put together correctly and most importantly safe for the little people that will be using and enjoying them.