Monday, November 30, 2009

Playground Winter Maintenance

With cold weather on the way winter can do strange things to our facilities. Playgrounds are not exempt from experiencing winter conditions. Three of the most common occurrences you should be aware of for the children's safety.


1. Plastic play components tend to contract or shrink in cold temperatures. This can lead to bolts that were once tight and secure to be loose. This danger could mean a failure in the play piece and potential injury to a child. Be on the look out for loose hardware and correct if necessary.


2. If there is moisture retention in your loose fill safety surfacing (i.e. sand, pea gravel, engineered wood fiber, etc.), it will freeze when the temperature drops below the freezing mark. When the surface is frozen, the impact attenuation (head impact criteria) properties of your loose fill system are lost. Please check your surface frequently in the winter weather and if it is frozen the play area should not be used.


3. Frost can also shift the soil. Most playgrounds have a containment system for their loose fill surfacing. Typically they are wood or plastic timbers that use a stake to keep it in place. If you have one of these systems please check periodically to make sure the stakes have not shifted upwards. If they have shifted they can cause trip hazards and other potential problems. During your periodic surveys of the playground check the stakes and correct if necessary.


If you would like a more in depth discussion about playground safety or are looking to start your 2010 playground goals please call us 800-888-2889. Your local Snider & Associates representative would be happy to meet and talk.

9 comments:

mickeyarthur said...

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John Rock said...

Playgrounds are essential for children's activities and fun. Maintaining the playground will provide an opportunity for the kids to be involved in fun activities. My kids were asking me to take them to the playground, but I was concerned about the condition of the playgrounds. I am just waiting to get the best coursework writing services UK-based on my kid’s help, and then I will take them to the playground.

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Atif said...

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Nick Hunter said...

The most crucial thing in this regard is to take as many preventative measures as possible for your playground safety in harsh weather. I just took a short break from the assignment writing service and came across your blog. If you see any standing water in your playgrounds, do your best to get rid of it.

Sarah Mark said...

No doubt playgrounds play an essential role in children's development. Your blog regarding playground winter maintenance is fantastic. I wanted to take my daughter to the playground, but I was busy these days finding cheap essay writing service for academic writing help. Maintaining your playground is vital during the winter.

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