SAFETY TIPS FOR SWINGS
On-site adult supervision is required.
Teach children not to walk close to, in front of, behind, or between moving swings or other moving playground
equipment.
Teach children to sit in and never stand on swings. (Exception to this rule is a product called "Stand -N- Swing")
Teach children not to twist the chains and ropes and not to loop them over the swing beam, since this may reduce
the strength of the chain or rope.
Teach children not to jump from swings that are in motion.
Teach children not to push empty seats. The seat may hit them and cause injury.
Teach children to sit in the center of swings with their full weight on the seats.
Teach children not to use the equipment in a manner other than intended.
Parents should have the children dress appropriately with well-fitting shoes. Loose clothing such as scarves and
ponchos should not be worn. Always take off, tie up or tuck in cords and drawstrings on children's clothing. These
things can get caught on playground equipment and strangle a child.
Teach children not to climb when the equipment is wet.
Teach children not to attach items to the playground equipment that are not specifically designed for use with the
equipment, such as, but not limited to, jump ropes, clothesline, pet leashes, cables and chains, as they may cause a
strangulation hazard.
Teach children to never wrap their legs around swing chain.
Teach children to never slide down the swing chain.
Protective surfacing under swings is recommended. "To and Fro" swings should have a fall zone extending a
minimum of 6' from the outer edge of the support structure on each side. The "fall zone" in front and back of the
swing should extend out a minimum distance of twice the height of the swing as measured from the ground to the
top of the swing support structure. Swings should have a minimum of 8 inches between them. (ASTM F-1148-12) The
bottom of a swing should not be less than 8 inches above the protective surfacing material. (ASTM F-1148-12) Home
Playground Safety Specification ASTM F-1148-12 may be purchased online. A guide for Public Playground Safety from
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission may be downloaded at:
http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/122149/325.pdf
A fall zone for a "tire swing" capable of unlimited lateral motion will be equal to a minimum horizontal distance of
Y + 72 in. in all directions from the pivot point of the swing. Y equals the vertical distance between the pivot point
and the top of the tire swing. Protective surfacing is recommended in the fall zone for tire swings.
If any of the following conditions are noted they should be removed, corrected or repaired immediately to prevent
injuries:
Hardware that is loose, worn, or those that have protrusions or projections.
Scattered debris, litter, rocks or tree roots.
Missing or damaged equipment components, such as swing seats.
Remove plastic swing seats and take indoors (or do not use) when the temperature drops below 32
o
F.
Oil all metallic moving parts monthly during the usage period.
Check swing seats, ropes, cables and chains monthly during usage season for evidence of deterioration.
Replacement should be made of any swing seat that has developed cracks in the plastic seats or has exposed metal in
the edges of the swing seat. If there are already exposed metal inserts on the edge of the seat, immediately remove
the seat and chains to prevent serious injury. Ropes, cables and chains should be removed and replaced if excessive
wear is found.
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