Protect Your Child’s Parent Child Slide Park Equipment

Slides are a classic playground addition that can benefit children of all ages and abilities. They come in a variety of shapes, materials, construction, and chute types.

Slides are one of the most popular pieces of playground equipment and have many variations that meet safety guidelines. However, a new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that parent child slide park equipment can pose a serious injury risk to children under 6 years old.

Safety

Safety is a top priority for parents when choosing playground equipment. Luckily, many modern designs are safer and more durable than older equipment. However, children may still experience injuries from play equipment if they aren’t properly supervised and used safely.

One of the biggest hazards for kids is falls from swings, slides and other playground equipment. Injuries from slides are more likely to result in fractures and abrasions, especially for younger children.

Slides should be constructed with proper openings to prevent entrapment. These should be less than 3.5 inches wide to prevent head entrapment and more than 9 inches wide to prevent neck entrapment.

Another safety feature of parent child slide park equipment is the exit region at the bottom of slides, which should be rounded and designed to allow children to exit the slide safely. It should also have a level surface that is safe for kids to land on after sliding down the slide.

Injuries that result from slides are often severe, including abrasions, sprains and fractures. While these aren’t the only types of injuries, they’re among the most common.

To help avoid these injuries, parents should teach their children to use playground equipment safely and follow the directions provided by the playground’s operators. It’s also a good idea to ask an adult for help if a child isn’t sure how to use a piece of playground equipment, so they don’t get hurt.

If your child wants to share a ride on a swing or a seesaw with another child, make sure they are around the same size and never add more than one child to a seat. If they’re not strong enough to sit up on a swing or ride a seesaw, they can use a lightweight plastic version instead of metal or wood.

When it comes to slides, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents don’t allow their children to ride on their laps while going down a slide. The study cites a number of studies that indicate toddlers and preschoolers are more likely to suffer injuries when riding down slides while on an adult’s lap than on their own.

Design

It’s no secret that kids love playing at the playground, especially on warm summer days. However, while a trip to the park can be fun and relaxing for everyone involved, it’s also important to keep kids safe while they enjoy their time outside.

One of the most parent child slide park equipment common playground hazards are slides. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released guidelines for parents that are sure to make you rethink your next trip to the park.

A new study has revealed that the biggest potential safety hazard in slides is the adult riding down with the child. This may sound like a no-brainer, but it turns out that the weight of the parent’s body and the force of the slide itself combine to create enough force to break a child’s leg.

This study is based on a sample size of 336 children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. The researchers used in-class methodology with research supervision to survey the participants about the most useful features in a playground.

Exciting, engaging and challenging playground equipment is a must for keeping kids happy while still learning at the same time. Fortunately, there are many products on the market that offer just that.

While many of these products can accommodate multiple children at once, the best ones are designed to encourage independent play. This means that they have a few features that make them unique, such as a slide or a climbing wall.

The slide itself can be found in a variety of sizes and shapes, including straight, spiral and even double entry. Some slides even feature a wavy design with shallow dips to add some flair to the ride.

These types of slides are not for the faint of heart, as they can injure a child’s head or tailbone on the way down. For this parent child slide park equipment reason, they should be kept at a minimum height of five feet and preferably no higher than six feet.

Another feature to look for is the exit region, which should be designed to allow a smooth and safe exit without cutting your child. It should also have rounded edges to avoid splinters. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum of two exits per slide, ensuring that all riders have the opportunity to safely get off the slides.

Materials

Playground slides provide children with fun and safe ways to enjoy their outdoor time. They also encourage creativity, balance and coordination while enhancing social skills. But parents should be aware of the hazards that may exist on these slides, especially if they are letting their children speed down them.

A slide should be made from a material that is durable and will not easily break or wear down. Some popular playground slide materials include wood, metal and plastic.

Some of the most common playground slides are fabricated from metal, such as stainless steel or anodized aluminum. These slides are often treated with epoxy or powdered paint to prevent them from rusting.

Other slides are made of fiberglass. This type of material is resistant to fire and corrosive chemicals. Fiberglass is also very durable, so it can withstand rough handling.

Regardless of the material used for the slide, the ground around the slide should be covered in a cushioned ground covering, like wood chips, sand or independent wear mats. The ground surface should extend at least six feet beyond the perimeter of each slide and all other equipment.

Many playgrounds use wood for their slides because of its natural appearance and customizable nature. However, there are concerns that some wooden playground structures are made from chemicals that can pose health risks to kids.

A recent study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission has revealed that some wood-preserving chemicals can cause health issues. This should make parents and kids think twice about purchasing playgrounds made from CCA-preserved wood.

Another important factor when selecting a playground base material is the Critical Height of the surface. Each surfacing material has a Critical Height that determines its ability to absorb shock during a fall and protect a child from serious injury.

The Critical Height of the surfacing must be determined by comparing the fall height of the playground equipment to the depth of the safety surfacing. The CPSC suggests that test data be requested from the manufacturer to identify the Critical Height of their specific products.

Other common bases for slides are loose-fill surfacing, such as mulch, sand and pea gravel. Loose-fill surfacing is often used to reduce the costs of playground construction, but it must be carefully maintained and installed to minimize accidents. These surfaces are generally more expensive than unitary surfacing, but they are more environmentally friendly and less costly to maintain.

Maintenance

When it comes to parent child slide park equipment, keeping the equipment in tip-top condition is paramount. It’s a good idea to power wash the equipment to remove any dirt or mud that might be hiding beneath the surface.

Using a power broom or scrubber to wipe down the equipment will get the job done in less time than you might think. Use a soapy solution to get your hands on all of the shiny surfaces, making sure to spend extra time scrubbing areas with stuck-on grime, such as sticky spills or bird droppings.

You might be surprised to learn that the most important part of any playground is the ground underneath the slides and other equipment. Make sure that the area is clear of rocks, glass or other debris. Adding wood chips or sand to the mix will help cushion any tumbling or jumping.

While the latest technology in the playground may be the most exciting, a simple rake or shovel might just be the best way to keep your community’s kids safe. It’s also a good idea to look for opportunities to enhance your community’s outdoor experience with the aforementioned slides, such as providing a nifty interactive touch screen display or adding a video game to your playground to stimulate your child’s imagination and promote physical activity.