Safe swinging in the garden - what parents should look out for
Even a simple swing in the garden makes children's eyes light up. But in addition to fun, child safety is the top priority.
Swings for children are among the most popular garden play equipment in family gardens. They promote a sense of balance and make a lot of fun - At the same time, accidents can happen if you are not careful. In fact up to 50 % of all playground accidents occur on swings. Reason enough to safety in the garden is a top priority. In this guide, you will find out what parents need to consider when garden swing should pay attention to so that the little ones swing safely and the family garden remains a place full of unadulterated joy.
1. choose the right location in the garden
Before you set up the swing, choose a suitable place in the garden. The decisive factor is a sufficient safety distance from walls, fences, trees or paths. Around the swing should be about 3 m free space remainso that swinging children do not bump into obstacles. Also watch out for branches hanging overhead - in the swing area no branches at head height of the children.
The ideal location is one from which you have a good view of your child, for example within sight of the patio or kitchen. Partial shade is ideal: if possible, do not place the swing in full sun, but under a tree, for example, or use an awning. This will prevent overheated seats and protect playing children from too much UV radiation. If the garden is large enough and you are planning several pieces of play equipment (such as a play tower with swings or a slide), make sure there is enough space between the equipment so that their play areas do not overlap. A well thought-out location is the basis for safe swinging in the garden.
2. choose the right swing model for children
Not all swings are the same - choose a model that suits age and needs of your children fits. For toddlers baby swings with a safety bar or harness are suitable to prevent them from slipping out. Pay particular attention to tested materials without harmful substances and a harness that runs between the legs. Older children will enjoy classic board swings, nest swings (round net swings) or gondola swings on which they can swing together. Also complete Play towers with swings and slide are also popular - it is always important that the construction is stable and safe.
Quality and safety should be a priority for every children's swing have top priority. A good guide is the GS mark ("Tested Safety"), which is awarded by independent testing laboratories. Swings with the GS seal fulfill European safety standards (e.g. EN 71-8 for play equipment for domestic use) and have been thoroughly tested. Please also pay attention to the specified load limit of the swing. Many children's swings, for example, are not designed for adults - if mom or dad sit on the child's lap anyway, the permissible weight can quickly be exceeded. Overloading leads to excessive wear and tear or, in the worst case, to essential parts breaking. It is therefore better to plan a swing that is a little more than necessary so that a parent can also swing on it or test its stability if necessary.
The material also plays a role: metal, plastic or wooden swings - each material has advantages and disadvantages. Wooden swings blend naturally into the garden, but should be weatherproof (e.g. pressure impregnated) so that they do not rot. Metal frames are robust, but can become very hot in the sun and need rust protection. Plastic seats should be UV-resistant and crack-free. If in doubt, it is worth taking a look at a specialist shop or the Store category Swings - where you can compare different models and designs (from single swings to nest swings) and be inspired. This is how parents can find the right swing that is fun and and safety.
3. assembly and anchoring - setting up the swing correctly
When setting up the swing the following applies: Take the manufacturer's safety instructions seriously and assemble the device exactly according to the instructions set up. All parts must be complete and correctly fitted. It is particularly important to stable anchoring of the swing frame in the ground. Many garden swings - whether made of wood or metal - require ground anchors that are dug into the ground or set in concrete. Do not do without these anchors, as they prevent the swing from tipping or moving when swinging vigorously. There are special anchors for wooden posts metal post shoeswhich make it easier to set in concrete and protect the wood from moisture. During assembly, check that every bolt and nut is tight and tighten them so that nothing wobbles.
If you are installing the swing on a tree (e.g. a tire swing or board swing on the strong branch of a tree), make sure that the branch is really strong. Use wide belt loops or special tree swing suspensions to protect the tree bark - otherwise thin ropes could wear through the bark and damage the tree. Not every ready-made swing is suitable for mounting on trees, so check the manufacturer's instructions or consult a specialist if in doubt.
Also check the pendulum length of the ropes or chains: The swing seat should hang at a suitable height above the ground - not too high (risk of climbing) and not too low. As a rule of thumb, the seat should be about 40-50 cm above the ground. Many models offer height-adjustable ropes, which is practical for adapting the swing to the child's growth. Make sure that there is always enough ground clearance under the swinging seateven if the ropes give way or stretch. If you take these points to heart, you will ensure that the swing set up correctly for long-term and safe enjoyment in the garden.
4. fall protection: make sure you have the right surface
An often underestimated aspect of swing safety is the surface. Hard paving or concrete under the swing are taboo - in the event of a fall, this can cause serious injuries. Instead, make sure you have a as soft a surface as possible in the landing area of the swing. The following have proven effective grasssand, bark mulch or wood chipsthat significantly cushion a fall. Even a simple grass surface cushions minor falls somewhat; a layer of fall protection material is even better. From a fall height of around 1.5 m (which is the case with many swing frames), a approx. 40 cm thick layer Sand, mulch or chips under the swing as fall protection. This should be applied generously around the swing, as children describe wide arcs when swinging.
Special fall protection mats made of rubber that can be placed under and around the swing. Such mats - available e.g. in our Swing accessories category - are available in different thicknesses and can be sunk into the lawn or laid on top to soften the ground. Make sure you check the fall protection materials regularly and top them up or replace them if necessaryas sand or mulch compacts or scatters over time. By the way: Also remove any possible debris around the swing. sources of danger on the ground such as stones, garden toys or irrigation hoses that a wandering child could trip over. A safe surface with fall protection is crucial so that a "jump" or fall does not become a drama.
5. clear play rules and attentive supervision
The use of the swing itself also needs to be learned safely. Teach your children a few rules of play to avoid accidents. This includes, for example, always only one person per swing seat swing - no wild squeezing together in pairs on one seat, as this can overload the swing and increase the risk of injury. Prohibit the standing swings and swinging too vigorously while standing, as children are more likely to lose their balance. It is also important: Do not run into the swinging area of the swing! Accidents often happen when a child runs in front of or behind a swinging swing and is hit by the person on the swing Explain to all children in the garden that they should keep their distance when someone is swinging.
Let younger children swing unattended. Toddlers in particular are not yet able to hold on tightly - parents should stay within arm's reach. Always use swings with a harness or harness system for the youngest children. Remove potential strangulation risksFor example, a child should not wear a bicycle helmetwhile rocking (the helmet strap can get caught), and scarves or cords on clothing are also dangerous. Tie up long hair to avoid tangling. With nest swings or large swing frames, set clear rules to prevent jostling or risky jumps. The duty of supervision of parents plays a major role - in Switzerland, thousands of children are injured in playgrounds every year due to fallsoften because they get too reckless without supervision. So stay attentive without taking away the children's fun: Praise safe behavior and intervene if things get too wild. With clear rules and a watchful eye, swinging fun can be made safe.
6 Regular maintenance and care of the swing
A swing in the garden should not be left to its own devices once it has been set up. Regular maintenance ensures that it remains safe in the long term. Check all of the following at regular intervals bolted connections and tighten any loose screws. Check the swing suspensions (hooks, eyelets, hinges) for wear or material fatigue. Metal parts in particular can fatigue over time or bend under heavy loads. Also pay attention to Ropes and chainsIf ropes are fraying or look very worn, replace them. With chains, check whether links are opening or rusting. If necessary, lightly lubricate moving parts so that nothing squeaks or snags.
Inspection of the scaffolding structure do not forget: Wooden scaffolding should be checked for signs of rot, cracks or pest infestation. Metal scaffolding should be checked for rust, bent elements or sharp edges. Remove any protruding nails or screws immediately to prevent cuts. If foundations protrude from concrete, cover or repair themso that nobody trips over them. You should also soft floor coverings such as sand or mulch under the swing should always be loosened and filled up bebecause over time the children trample these areas or drag material away.
A good tip is to give the swing an occasional load test occasionally: Hang on to it (carefully) as an adult or pull hard to check that everything is stable. Of course, only if the maximum weight permitted by the manufacturer is not exceeded. Remove leaves from the swing in the fall and check all parts thoroughly in the spring before the start of the season. Metal and plastic parts can be cleaned with a mild detergent; wooden parts can be cleaned now and again. refreshing coat of paint with weatherproof paint or wood oil to protect them from the weather. If possible, store swing seats indoors in winter (especially plastic seats and ropes)then they will last longer and start in spring without any brittle spots. With a little care, your garden swing will remain a safe piece of play equipment for many years to come.
7 DIY: Building a swing yourself - is it safe?
Many DIY-enthusiastic parents may want to build a build a swing themselves. With craftsmanship, this can be achieved - but the safety must be paramount. If you build your own swing frame, you should only use high-quality, stable wood (preferably pressure-impregnated round timber or KVH beams) and pay attention to well thought-out construction. A solid A-shape or four-legged construction with cross beams is stable. Screw load-bearing parts together with through bolts and nuts (no simple wood screws for critical connections) and use metal brackets for reinforcement if necessary. Set the posts firmly in concrete - A DIY scaffold without concrete anchors will hardly be stable in the long term. Tighten all screws well and countersink them so that no sharp edges protrude.
Even with the swing suspension care is required: Use sturdy swing hooks or eyebolts on the crossbar that are designed for high loads. Pre-drill the suspensions with the appropriate diameter to avoid cracks in the wood and secure nuts with self-locking nuts or split pins to prevent them from coming loose. For the ropes we recommend Polypropylene ropes or special swing ropes - these are weatherproof and resilient. Make sure that knots cannot come loose or use ready-made swing ropes with attached suspension rings.
Plan the fall space and surface just as carefully as with ready-made swings (soft ground, sufficient free space). Have your self-built swing checked by another person before using it for the first time or test it several times under load before the children are allowed on it. If in doubt, it may be advisable to have a swing set to buy and assemble yourself - many kits are already tested and equipped with all the important safety parts. However, if you love a challenge, pay even more attention to every detail with the DIY swing. The shining children's eyes on their first swing in the garden will be worth the effort!
Do you have any other tips or experiences on safe swings in the garden? Feel free to share them in the comments!
