Worst Metal Swing Sets to Purchase

Features

• Metal swing sets in general pose a host of hazards. The metal can get very hot in the blazing sun and possible burn tender skin. Metal chains that attach the swings to the set can also heat up or twist and cut a child. Metal can rust or break, often creating knife-like shards that would easily slice a small child. The best types to choose would be those with a very sturdy frame that's welded into place, cords or heavy rope attaching the swings to the set and flat, plastic swings that are not filled with screws that can come loose or fall out.

Geography

• Placement and installation of the swing set is equally as important to safety as the swing set itself. Those that are not tethered to the ground, either by digging holes for the posts or encasing the posts in cement, have the danger of tipping over. Never place a swing set near the edge of a concrete wall, patio or anything else with a steep drop that the set can move towards and fall over onto. Swing sets should be placed on level ground and, if possible, over a soft bed of grass or dirt, rather than gravel or rock shards.

Considerations

• While background swing sets may have always seemed a bit risky, swing sets found at public playgrounds may not fare much better. Playworld Systems, Inc., based in Lewisburg, Penn., recalled about 1,500 of its playground swing sets, the Arch Swing and Arch Swing Add-A-Bay. The welding was at fault for this one, which resulted in the side arches coming apart from the top rail and the entire set collapsing. The company reported only one collapse of the sets, sold between 1998 and 2004, resulting in two injuries: one child who bruised his knee and another who bruised his shoulder.

Misconceptions

• It's not only the metal parts of a swing set that can injure the kids playing on it. The Bedford, Pennsylvania-based Hedstrom Corp recalled about 190,000 of their metal-framed swing sets sold in 2000 and 2001 because the screws were falling out of the plastic swings and children were tumbling to the ground. The swings in question were the Star Cruiser and the Rocket Rider, which feature plastic parts fastened together with the insecure screws. The company, since out of business, reported 291 instances of the swings falling apart, injuring at least 19 children with scrapes, cuts and bruises.

Expert Insight

• Metal swing sets may never be the safest choice for children of any age, according to the Web site SwingSets.us. Hardy plastic is the safest for toddlers and smaller children, with soft edges and smooth surfaces that pose no cutting hazards. Older children will do best with wooden swing sets, which can be made from kits or by purchasing wood and creating a homemade one that is sturdy enough to handle tough play. Wood is rust-proof, heftier and looks better than many of the flimsy metal swing sets on the market today.