Slides, swings, teeter-totters, monkey bars, and more—they’re all terrific ways for the little ones to stay in shape, have fun, and interact with others. But their play is only as good (and safe) as the equipment they use. Make sure your playground equipment lasts a long time after you purchase it. That’s a simple enough plan and a worthy aspiration. Regular maintenance and upkeep can extend the life of your equipment for several years of heavy play. Here’s how to help your playground equipment last longer.
Don’t wait for equipment to break down, anticipate it by performing periodic inspections for things that need cleaning, replacing, or protecting. A good rule of thumb is to conduct an inspection once a year and a month or so before a period of heavy use. But regular inspections every month wouldn’t go amiss. Check with the manufacturer about how often to review equipment. They may even offer an inspection service and send someone out to ensure the equipment is holding up. Also, teach the kids to watch for problems, they may see certain issues before you do!
Move quickly and repair or replace parts that are wearing out when you do see problems with the equipment. This step might seem obvious, but too often the assumption is that you can overlook a minor problem for the sake of expenses. Saving a few dollars, however, isn’t worth risking the possibility of an injury and a lawsuit from an unhappy parent. Order the replacement parts and install them as soon as possible. Do it before periods of heavy use. All those active kids can really put equipment through the paces!
You should clean the equipment daily, depending on the playground equipment’s material, whether it’s indoor or outdoor equipment, weather conditions, and current public health concerns. You should regularly wash and sterilize indoor playground equipment, as little ones tend to drool and chomp on just about everything. Pressure washing your outdoor equipment is a good way to quickly wash it and wipe out germs, dirt, mold, mildew, and other things that can cause rust, corrosion, and other damage. Keep it painted, or have your playground equipment powder-coated to provide ongoing protection from rain, snow, and other precipitation.
Remember to be ready for anything if you’re still wondering how to help playground equipment last longer. Look for loose screws, bolts, and nuts and tighten them up. Keep a can of oil at hand to lubricate moving parts and prevent wear and tear that can cause parts to break. Handle vandalism right away, and ensure you address any misused parts right away. Naturally, keep the area around the equipment safe and secure to ensure the kids have a soft place to land when they’re done playing!
24World Media does not take any responsibility of the information you see on this page. The content this page contains is from independent third-party content provider. If you have any concerns regarding the content, please free to write us here: contact@24worldmedia.com
