6 Important Ways To Ensure Kids Are Safe When On a Swing

By Anisha Nair - Updated: December 13, 2018

Swings are a part of everyone’s childhood. Unfortunately, injuries from swings are also a part of most children’s lives! Swings are a leading source of injuries in parks. Find out how to ensure your child is safe, yet doesn’t miss out on the fun of swinging.

Little ones love to spend their playtime on swings and slides, often pestering you for repeated visits to the park through the day! While most parks are built with safety regulations in place to keep your kid away from harm, you still need to take care of certain things to make sure your dear little kid enjoys his swinging in safety. Swings are a common playground equipment that often cause childhood injuries. We list here some important tips to help you keep your little one safe on swings:

1. Make Sure Swings Are Spaced Safely

Swings must be spaced well, leaving a considerable space between them to avoid the risk of collisions and entanglements. Ideally, swings should be at least 22 inches apart from one another. For safe swinging, make sure that the bottom seat of the swing is eight inches above the ground. You can adjust the height of the swing to ensure your little player mounts and dismounts the swing safely. Plus, you’ll avoid the risk of their feet getting scraped.

2. Check Swing’s Dimensions and Material

Make sure that the surface of the swing that extends in the front and back is twice the height of the swing’s suspension chain. So, if the top end of the suspension chain is ten feet high then the swing surface should extend 20 feet to ensure safe swinging. Also, ensure that your child chooses a swing made by using a soft material, such as plastic or rubber. Avoid swings made out of metal or wood.

3. Kids Should Be Seated On The Swing

Ensure your child always sits on the swing, and never kneels or stands. Standing and kneeling on the swing is highly dangerous for kids. Instruct your child to sit and hold the side ropes of the swing with both her hands while swinging. Also, instruct your kid to stop swinging completely before she gets off the swing.

4. Close The ‘S’ Hooks

The seats of the swing are connected by ‘S’ hooks to the long suspension chains that are present at the sides. Make sure you bend the ‘S’ hooks properly towards the closed position to ensure safe swinging of your child. Improperly closed or open ‘S’ hooks increase the risk of kids’ clothes getting entangled. This could lead to injuries and accidents as she mounts or dismounts the swing.

5. Always Supervise Your Kid On The Swing

Never leave your child unsupervised on a swing. Make sure your child is the only person on the swing and no other kid is sitting on the swing along with him while swinging. Swings are meant for one child at a time and more than one on the swing simultaneously is unsafe. Prevent your child from climbing and jumping on a swing. Also, while other kids are swinging, instruct your child to be away from the swings to avoid the risk of injuries and falls as a moving swing might hit her.

6. Keep The Swing’s Surroundings Clear

Make sure no pointed objects, loose items or toys are present in the vicinity of the swing. Keep jump ropes, chains, screws, scarves, connected mittens, and toys that might roll under your kid’s foot, such as balls, toy cars, marbles, and beach buckets, away from the area where your child is swinging. Clearing off the surroundings of the swing prevents the risk of injuries and falls and ensures safe swinging.

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