Keeping children safe is the number one priority for BYO Recreation, so for the month of May we are going to continue to educate you about how you can keep your kids safe while at play. We talked about Surface Safety Monday, April 22, 2013, so today let's move on to swing safety.

Swing sets are the most common playground equipment found in any play space, and it's the most used structure by kids of all ages, so it makes sense that you should inspect your swings every six months to a year.

What should you be looking for in your swing set inspection?

Swings are composed of several parts such as swivels, seats, frame connectors, hangers and chains. Over time every day wear and tear from use and Mother Nature take a toll on these parts causing equipment to become brittle, or weak. When inspecting your swing sets, examine the chains and hangers first, because these are the most replaced parts of a swing set.

Some chains come coated in a protective material to prevent children from pinching themselves, but over time, this coating can come off and expose the chain. The chain is coated in galvanized steel, meaning it won't rust, but the coating gives extra protection and a nice visual appeal to your swing set.

Hangers are what attaches the swing to the top beam and slows for swinging motion. After years of swinging back and forth, these hangers wear down and become weak. The swinging motion rubs the metal chain against the metal hanger, which causes the link to become thin over a period of years. These should be replaced, if worn out, to ensure children will be safe while swinging.

Every aspect of your swing set should be inspected to ensure your play structure is up-to-code and safe for child play. If you are unsure of how to inspect your swing sets, or any other play structure in your play space, please call BYO Recreation at 1-800-853-5316, and one of our certified playground inspector representatives can help you make a checklist of all the major parts to examine, or help you find an expert playground inspector in your area.
For more tips on how to inspect your playground for safety, check back here throughout the month of May 2013 and remember to inspect your playground annually!

To learn more about playground safety, please review the Public Playground Safety Handbook, and to obtain a playground safety checklist please refer to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Checklist.