The outdoor playground: safety first !
Swing, slide, mounted cabin, trampoline or rock-climbing wall - every age has its own outdoor activity. For perfect safety, every installation should be carefully selected and mounted properly.
Children love outdoor playgrounds. Its a place to hide, slide, jump, climb...there's almost no limits to what they can get up to, but be careful - playgrounds can quickly become a dangerous place where children can be seriuosly hurt.
Falls are the biggest risk and to avoid fractures, it is best to choose the proper ground surface. For years, sand was the preferred surface. Today, flexible rubbing surfacing is the best option and rightly so, as it is just as efficient and is more hygenic (very easy to clean).
Sandpits are indeed a haven for microbes as they often contain decomposing leaves and animal excrement. Small children's articulations are much better protected by a cushioned ground surface at the bottom of the slide or the swing. A fall on rubber is softer and doesn't cause grazes or burns.
This surfacing can be found either in the form of tiles or in rolls, and can be easily fitted onto flat tarmac or concrete surfaces. It can either be layed directly or hemmed in so as to avoid dangerous edges.
Apart from cushioned ground surfaces, the main security rule to follow when installing an outdoor playground is to choose an amusement marked with the CE standard. These are usually made of autoclave-treated wood which are highly weather-resistant. They also come in plastique, but these should be taken down every Autumn and stored away from frost.
Whatever the material used, they should be checked for solidity every Spring before being used. The fencing of mounted cabins should be inspected meticulously so that it doesn't give way to the weight of one or several children.
To avoid accidents, the installations should be chosen according to the age and size of the children. As they are expensive, is recommended to chose models which "evolve"with age. This allows children to use them for longer,in total safety, without getting bored with them.