If you grew up with any type of yard with your home, you may have had backyard swings. These are common fixtures for many homes with children, and are often something that most children remember fondly. A lot has been made of safety when it comes to swings, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting one for your children if you want to. Remember, children fall down, but they usually get back up again, and that is a part of growing up. As long as you take some simple precautions, your swings should be as safe as it should be.
Chains on backyard swings can be a problem. This is why many like to have plastic over top of the chains. The chains can pinch the skin, and will cause bruising. However, for the most part, they aren’t a life or death danger. The plastic covers can be dangerous on backyard swings though, especially if they are simply a plastic tub. Those have no grip, and a child’s hands could slip from them at a bad moment. If this is a worry, get a swing with a strong rope instead.
When it comes to hanging your backyard swings, think about the security of the swing. If you are hanging it from a tree, make sure that branch is strong and still alive. Test it with your own weight, or even the weight of a few people. The last thing you want is for it to break when a child is swinging. If you have something else for the swing, make sure it is sturdy as well, and use cement to anchor is securely in the ground. Use the same weight tests as you might with a tree limb. Most commercial types will be safe, but that does not mean you should not give it a test to be sure.
Another safety issue to think about when putting up backyard swings is how close to other things that swing might be placed. You don’t want to put it where someone swinging would hit a tree or anything else for that matter. You also want to be sure the swings are high enough so the feet won’t rub on the ground when the swing comes down. That would be a good way to get a broken leg. Think about the height and the spacing of the backyard swings so they bring back the same pleasant memories to your children as you have of yours.
Summary:
Backyard swings are the mainstay of family life. The backyard is the playground. It is where kids spend most of their time. It should be a magical place where they can daydream, live, catch bugs, or just read in peace. Make sure the swing you select is safe for kids, and it is placed in a secure way to prevent injury.
