Swing Set Slides

Swing set slides are found in city parks, schoolyards, public playgrounds, community centers, and private backyards around the world. In the olden days, swing set slides were all made of metal and, although still very popular, there was always the danger that children may suffer burns in the hot summer and frost bites in the cold winters. Today, however, swing set slides are primarily constructed from rotationally molded polyethylene with UV stabilizing additives or fiberglass and their very smooth and easy-to-slide-on surfaces do not overheat nor over-chill.

Slides are integral parts of all swing sets and, after swings, are always the most anticipated part of any playground. Slides come in different shapes such as fully or partially enclosed tubes, straight or spiraling tunnels, sidewinders, bump waves, spirals, chutes, or assorted combinations; various sizes ranging from the short and shallow for the very young to the very long and steep for the older children; and an opulence or colors that are visually appealing and inflame excitement. Widths of swing set slides can vary greatly and some are even wide enough to enable two or more children to slide down in unison. The height of the side walls of swing set slides can also fluctuate quite a bit.

Swing set slides themselves do not actually provide exercise but they do encourage it by the mere fact that it is necessary to climb up a ladder or a set of stairs to reach their height in order to slide down. Slides do, however, improve children’s dynamic balance which is required when moving under the force of gravity, and they are included in playground swing sets for the sheer fun of sliding through space.

Swing sets slides are undeniably enjoyable but they can also pose some safety hazards which must be addressed. Many thousands of children each year are rushed to hospital emergency rooms due to playground injuries that could have been prevented if only:

• If only equipment and grounds were properly surfaced. The surface under any playground equipment, including swing set slides must be soft and thick enough to absorb the impact of a child’s fall. The playground surface must also be free of standing water and debris that could cause a child to trip and fall, such as rocks, tree stumps, and tree roots; there must never be a presence of dangerous materials, like broken glass or twisted metal; the cushioned surface needs to extend at least six feet past the equipment but additional coverage may be needed depending on the height of a slide or the length of a swing.
• If only there was more constant adult supervision.
• If only damaged equipment was fixed or replaced.
• If only children were taught playground safety rules and etiquettes.
• If only there was more adult supervision.
• If only children were allowed to use equipment that is appropriate to their own age but no other. And if only playgrounds were clearly separated into two age groups: preschool (2 to 5-year-olds) and school (5 to 12-year olds).
• If only moving parts of the swing sets were separated from the other stationary parts, and had no pinch points that could hurt little body parts.
• If only swings were limited to two per bay and placed 30 inches apart.
• If only swing set parts had no spaces that could trap a child’s head, arm or any other part of the body.

Whichever swing set slide your children use, their exhilaration of gliding downward with wind rushing past their flushed little faces is truly a joyful sight to behold—may they continue to thrive in ecstatic safety.