How to Safely Maintain a Playground Slide
A playground slide is one of the most popular pieces of equipment on playgrounds. Kids love the thrill of sliding down and the experience provides physical, social and cognitive benefits.
Unlike monkey bars and other structures that require climbing to reach the top, slides offer instant thrills. However, slides can also present challenges.
Safety
Even though playground slides are among the most popular play equipment at parks, they can still cause injuries if children use them improperly. Luckily, most injuries can be prevented through proper supervision and teaching kids about safe playground behavior.
For example, children should always wait their turn to avoid collisions and disputes over who gets to go down the slide first. They should also wear clothing without drawstrings, long scarves or other accessories that playground slide may catch on equipment. In addition, kids should never jump off equipment that is twice as high as their height or from a slide that is too steep.
Providing adequate protective surfacing around all slides is another essential safety measure. This surfacing should be made of a material recommended by ASTM F1292 and cover the area underneath and surrounding the slide. The surfacing should be rounded and smooth to prevent injuries caused by impact with sharp or straight edges.
Inspecting and maintaining playgrounds regularly is important, but it’s also vital to have a defined emergency plan for handling situations when they occur. This includes establishing a crisis management team and a defined code for when a danger is detected, such as a broken piece of equipment. Finally, it’s essential to have a trained professional supervising kids at all times. Lack of adult supervision is linked to nearly half of all playground-related injuries.
Design
Slides are one of the most popular pieces of playground equipment and children around the world love them. This is not just because they are fun to ride down, but also because they help integrate multiple developmental skills and senses. To access a slide, kids must climb up to get on top, which builds coordination, balance and strength in their arms and legs. And the ride down teaches them about gravity and how they can slow down their body’s speed by applying pressure to their feet or hands.
In addition, the textured surface of slides creates tactile experiences and allows kids to look over their surroundings from a new angle—a new perspective that engages their sense of sight. And at the end of their trip down, kids must negotiate with their fellow slide-users for a place in line, which teaches them to wait and take turns.
The design of a slide can vary greatly, from straight and flat to curved and spiral. In addition, there are many different types of materials and finishes to choose from. For example, some slides are coated with an anti-graffiti coating that protects them from harsh chemicals. Others are fabricated with galvanized steel, which provides excellent durability. And some slides have a varying degree of slope from the bottom of the run-out—from steep to very gradual.
Materials
Children love playground slides, and the right slide materials can help reduce the risk of injury. Slides can be made Amusement Park supplier from metal or plastic, and each has its pros and cons. Plastic is typically more affordable and easier to repair than metal. However, metal is a durable material that can withstand high levels of wear and tear. It’s also a good choice for making slides with fun shapes and designs. However, metal can become hot on a sunny day, so it’s important to place the slide underneath play shade or coat it in some way.
Start by clearing the area where you plan to build your slide. Remove toys, garden tools and any other obstructions that could cause tripping or injury. Check that there are no underground services in the vicinity of the structure, and have a utility location service visit to mark the ground with water-soluble paint if necessary.
Construct a handrail from two-foot two-by-fours and mount it at least three feet above the platform. Drill vertical balusters about 6-8 inches apart around the handrail for support. If you want to provide an angled ladder for climbing, make one from four 2-foot two-by-fours as rungs. Secure the rungs to the side of the ladder using deck screws.
Maintenance
Slides are one of the major entrapment and entanglement hazards on playgrounds. Proper playground maintenance is essential to minimize these risks. This includes evaluating equipment for cracks and other damage, minimizing the risk of cramped use zones, and correcting inadequate surfacing. The best way to ensure this is to follow the manufacturers’ maintenance instructions and conduct periodic inspections.
Kids love slides because they provide an exhilarating experience that is different from what other play structures can offer. They get a small rush as they speed down and feel the breeze in their faces, and the thrill of going back up to climb even higher for another ride. There are many options for playground slides, from straight, tube and open styles to curving ones with L or S shapes.
Slide maintenance requires a quick check of the bedway and rails to make sure they are clear of entanglement hazards, and to tighten or replace loose hardware. They should also be inspected regularly for rust or rot, and painted to resist weathering and vandalism.
In addition to daily and monthly checks, a thorough annual inspection should be conducted by an experienced mechanic, such as ELI Play Service. This can be done in tandem with other services, such as a playground installation, to save time and resources.
