Tube Slides Are a Common Piece of Playground Equipment
Giant tube slides are a great way for kids to burn energy and exercise, but they also pose a risk of broken legs. Experts are sending a warning to parents about these dangerous pieces of playground equipment.
You’ve got your playground mapped out and know where you want the swings, plastic climbers, and even those cute little riding animals. But you still have one major decision to make: a straight or spiral tube slide?
Safety Surface
A playground slide has to be able to resist a lot of different things, including normal wear and tear, the weather, and even vandalism. It should also be durable enough to allow kids to ride it at fast speeds, which is a huge part of the fun for many children. For this reason, a tube or tunnel slide is often preferred over a traditional open slide.
The enclosed nature of a tunnel slide offers plenty of opportunities for the imagination to kick in. Kids can imagine themselves boarding spaceships or plunging into the ocean as they glide down the colorful tube. This feature is particularly important when a playground is intended for younger users, as the opportunity to play creatively is an important part of their developmental journey.
It is also a good idea to ensure the safety of a tunnel slide playground tube slide by providing a non-entanglement zone and clearance zone at its base. This will ensure that the child is not entangling or contacting any other equipment or components while on the slide or as they are exiting it. This is especially important if the slide is in an outdoor setting that receives full sun for a large portion of the year, as it may become hot enough to cause severe contact burn injuries on children’s hands, legs, and feet.
Speed
There is no playground without slides, and kids love them for the simple thrill of a fast descent from the top. They are one of the most common pieces of playground equipment in use, and they come in many styles. When choosing a new slide for your play area, be sure to choose one that is commercial-grade and safe enough to have children sliding down it multiple times every day.
There are a number of factors that can affect the speed of a playground tube slide, including its shape and size. A smaller, narrower slide will be faster than a wider and taller slide. Additionally, a taller slide will have a longer run-out at the bottom, which increases the overall speed of the ride.
It is important to note that the speed of a playground tube slide should never exceed the recommended safety guidelines. In general, the angle of the chute from top to bottom must not be more than 40 degrees.
In addition to helping children develop gross motor skills, a playground tube slide can also improve cognitive development. Children learn to balance their bodies while riding down the slide, and they gain a new perspective of their surroundings as they descend. This can help kids develop a better understanding of their environment and can also inspire them to be more active and adventurous.
Occlusion
When planning a playground, the biggest decision you will make involves what kind of slide to purchase. After you’ve decided on a swingset, the kinds of plastic climbers you want to add, and a spot reserved for those cute little riding animals, there’s one more big decision to make: should it be a straight or spiral tube slide?
A tube slide offers a twist on a classic playground equipment that children love. The twisting shape of the tube and chute allow kids to feel like ninjas or superheroes when they play on this type of playground equipment. It’s also a great option for indoor playgrounds because it can help to avoid the risk of hot surfaces that are exposed to sunlight for long periods of time.
Like traditional playground slides, tube or tunnel slides feature a raised platform that ascends via a ladder or stairs to allow the user, usually a child, to sit and slide down. The main difference between a traditional slide and a tube or tunnel slide is playground tube slide that the chute on a tube slide has more of a helter skelter design, while a traditional slide has a simple straight descent.
A tubular slide is an excellent choice for a playground because it helps to develop a range of gross motor skills. For example, a child gains grip strength while climbing the ladder to the top of the slide and strengthens their legs while sitting at the top of the platform. These are vital skills that can be used throughout a child’s life.
Maintenance
You’ve got your equipment mapped out, you know where your plastic swings and cute little plastic riding animals are going to go, and now it comes time to decide what kind of slide you want. A tube slide is a popular choice for playgrounds because it offers an electrifying sliding experience that kids love.
Regardless of what type of slides you have, it’s important to establish an inspection schedule for your playground. This is so that you can be certain that your equipment meets the required safety standards and that all of the elements are in good working condition.
In order to do this, it’s best to hire a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) to get started and help you determine which checklists are right for your site. Once the CPSI has completed an initial inspection, your maintenance staff should then take over the maintenance duties and complete the necessary checks on a regular basis.
Aside from a general check of all equipment, you should also look at the surfacing and ensure that there are no hazards such as loose gravel or wood mulch. Lastly, you’ll need to clean metal surfaces and repaint any areas that have rust or rot. Remove graffiti and other signs of vandalism as well.
