rainbow playground

Playground mulch protects children when they come off of slides and swings by providing a cushion for falls. It must be kept within certain levels to promote safety for children

Types of Surfaces

• Playgrounds with a surface of concrete or asphalt are poor protection when a child falls, and often have a consequence of injury or even death. Surfaces composed of turf or grass work, but as time goes on they lose their ability to absorb a fall effectively. Mulch is one choice that is popular for placing underneath playground equipment that can cushion a fall effectively if enough is laid down.backyard playground equipment

Mulch Placement

• For effectiveness, the mulch is placed underneath areas that are most prone to falls such as slides, swings and climbing equipment. The Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that you do not put mulch or other fill material over concrete or asphalt, and that it should be laid out six feet in every direction around the equipment

Special Circumstances

• Equipment that is less that four feet in height can have the fill installed at a level of six inches. Back-and-forth swings and tire swings require the fill to extend further out than other equipment. This prevents falls from hurting children when they jump off of the swing while in motion.

Depth Level

• The material is first laid out at a depth of twelve inches, which will eventually settle and compact. When this occurs, it will be at the suggested minimum level of nine inches, which is the standard for all equipment over four feet in height.

Maintenance

• The fill is monitored as it gets spread out, kicked out of the area and continues to compact down. Playground equipment that has the correct level marked on it helps homeowners to track the height and refill it if necessary.backyard playground equipment

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