A wooden playset is a worthwhile investment

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One thing I’m so thankful for on these beautiful spring days is being able to go into my backyard and play with my girls on their wooden playset. It was a big investment but has been totally worth it!

Backyard Leisure is the largest playset manufacturer in the United States and one of the world’s leading producers of wooden residential outdoor playsets. Their playsets range from $400 to $40,000 (the $40,000 are customized). Backyard Leisure also recently introduced Backyard Botanical Complete Gardening Systems, ready-made vegetable gardening systems that come with everything a family needs to start gardening. To celebrate National Garden Month and National Playground Safety Week, the company has a couple of promotions going on. Visit www.by-leisure.com and enter PLAYSAFELY for 20% off any purchase over $300 (this includes all the playsets and gardens). You can also enter DAKOTA for $150 off the Dakota playset. This promotion ends TONIGHT, though. So you must act fast. If you prefer to see what you’re buying in person, Backyard Leisure playsets are available at retailers around the U.S. including Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, Sam’s, Toy”R”Us, Menards, and BJs.

Backyard Leisure created ‘PLAY SAFELY,’ which outlines 10 points parents should consider when researching and shopping for outdoor playsets. It’s a must-read if you’re thinking about buying a playset for your kids anytime soon.

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Placement – Parents should determine where they will place a playset in their yard before making a purchase. There should be at least a six-foot perimeter – a “Safe-T Zone” – surrounding a child’s playset to prevent children from swinging, jumping or falling into or onto something dangerous. Loose fill materials like mulch, wood chips or reground plastic should be placed under the playset to minimize any falls. Children should always be supervised when playing on a playset which is why the structure should be placed where parents can constantly monitor children’s activities.

Lumber – Shoppers should look for a naturally decay and weather resistant lumber like cedar when purchasing a playset. Cedar is also a natural insect repellant and blends well with any backyard. Look for playsets that have a water-based stain that is both environmentally safe and kid-friendly. Other materials on the market, like lumber that has been chemically treated, are not as family- or eco-friendly.

Assembly – Playsets come packaged differently and it’s important to consider assembly options before choosing a playset. Parents have to ask themselves a few questions – should the playset be hand-built? Will the lumber be hand-picked and the playset built with a kit? Or will the playset come ‘Ready to Assemble’? The best and easiest-to-assemble units are labeled ‘Ready to Assemble’ which means they are pre-cut, pre-stained and pre-drilled with all of the hardware and accessories pre-packed.

Your Wallet – Most playsets are built to last no matter their price tag. However, parents should determine what they’re willing to spend before they head to their local playset dealer. On the market are large, full-featured playsets that retail for $2,000 and up, as well as very good quality cedar playsets that retail for as little as $399. A playset is something a family will cherish for years so before making a final decision, make sure the investment will pay off and the set will grow with your family.

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Safety Railings – Creating a safe, fun play environment means safety features must be put in place during assembly. Check that all elevated surfaces, such as platforms, have guardrails and that sit down bars are in place above the slides. Most quality sets will have an arched entrance area to protect little noggins but be sure to look for this feature before purchasing.

Anchoring – After installing a playset, make sure the entire structure is firmly anchored to avoid tipping. Many first-time playset buyers think that very large playsets anchor themselves. The truth is, if a playset is not properly anchored, multiple swinging children can create a dangerous situation that could have easily been avoided.

Features – Customizing a playset for your family is the fun part. Parents should ask themselves questions like: Do we need an infant swing? Do we need a hammock? Or do we need a two person glider so we can push two children at once? Accessories like a buoy ball, rock wall, gang plank, hammock or ship’s wheel create a fun play experience for all children. The beauty of most quality playsets is that accessories can be added following the initial playset purchase. See some of the features available for Backyard Leisure playsets by visiting www.by-leisure.com.

Everyone Plays – Playsets should provide children with a play area that is developmentally appropriate so consider the ages of the children who will be playing on the set. The size of the playset should depend on how many children will play on the set, as well. So consider how many swings and how many play features will be required to create a fun and safe play environment for all.

Lifetime Warranty – It is important to know exactly what type of warranty is being offered and what the playset company will cover. Is it a five year warranty or lifetime warranty? Will the warranty last if the playset is properly maintained? Playsets should last for the long haul, so a warranty with long-term protection is essential.

Yearly Maintenance – Preventative playset maintenance is a must for keeping kids safe and making sure a warranty lasts. Every season, parents should tighten any loose supports, anchors, bolts and screws and missing nuts, bolts and protective caps should be replaced. Following manufacturer’s directions, playsets should be periodically sealed, stained and painted to prevent deterioration. Taking these small steps toward a safer play area can make a big difference when it comes to long-term safety.