Safety is our Utmost Priority

Your child’s safety is as important to us as our own. That's constantly on our minds when we design and build each and every Woodlawn swing set. Not only do we meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) standards, we go the extra mile when designing, building and selecting materials for our swing sets.

Important Safety Issues

Pine    
Stability & Strength: Woodlawn swing sets are structurally solid and have more board footage per swing set than most play sets on the market. Constructed of solid, Micropro™ Pine, they are strong, durabile and rock-solid structures that can hold you and your children for years to come.
 
   
Recessed Hardware: To prevent scrapes and scratches, all the hardware on a Woodlawn swing set deck frame is recessed, leaving no rough, exposed or sharp edges that can hurt your children. Unlike some manufacturers, Woodlawn does not cover up our recessed hardware with plastic caps. The ASTM considers those choking hazards!
 
   
Swing Ropes: We pay a little extra to have our UV protected, double braided rope woven tighter in order to reduce stretch and to retain it’s strength over time. For added strength and safety, we use 1/2-inch rope vs. smaller 3/8-inch rope that many manufacturers select. Our ropes are the longest lasting in the industry. We strength-tested our rope and they withstood over 1000 lbs of pull without breaking. Additionally, Woodlawn uses stainless steel clamps with "teeth" applied with over 2000 lbs. of pressure to secure the rope at the point where it attaches to the swing belt. Some manufacturers use a heavy-grade wire wrap to hold the rope, which could come loose or scratch your child.
 
Upright Supports    
Upright Supports: Woodlawn swing sets use 4" x 4" Pine posts to support heavy-duty deck framing. Our Timberlodge has eight support posts while less expensive, knock-off versions have only four. If you do decide to purchase a Redwood swing set, for comparable stability, make sure to look for 4" x 6" or even 6" x 6" posts with steel bracing.
 
Railing    
Railing Strength & Spacing: All upper deck railings are sturdy enough to support a child or adult who is leaning on the railing. This is where the strength of Pine excels. Our spindles are vertical to prevent children from climbing up on the railing. And the spacing between spindles is not wide enough to entrap a child's head.
 
Easy Climb Ladder    
Easy-Climb Ladder: Our easy-climb ladder is gently angled toward the play deck. Its flat wooden steps give solid footing to young climbers. Woodlawn provides a set of non-slip strips to be adhered to each step to make it even safer. Be wary of swing sets which use round wooden dowels or steel rungs. They can be very slippery, especially when wet.
 
Dual Fasteners    
Dual Fasteners: For frame construction, Woodlawn selected the stability of heavy-duty, hardened stainless steel, safety-head screws that are up to 2.5" in length. In most swing sets, we combine the stability and strength of screws with the added strength of a bolt in our proprietary dual fastener system. The bolt attaches the heavy-duty deck framing to the thick, solid uprights while the wood screws help keep the set square and stable. You get the strength of bolts along with the stability of screws. We've found that with bolt-through-only construction, a set will wobble, creak and need to be tightened on a regular basis.
 
Rounded Edges    
Rounded Edges, Smooth Finish: There are no sharp edges on Woodlawn sets. All surfaces are smooth to the touch.
 
Sun Protection    
Sun protection: Every Woodlawn swing set comes standard with a canopy or wooden roof. This helps to reduce exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays during the hours and hours of playtime you and your children will have on your swing set. Additionally, the play space under the upper deck is an additional haven from the sun. Whether it's while using the picnic table, spinning on a tire swing or building castles in the sandbox, the shade is always a welcome break.
 
Slide Mounting    
Slide mounting: For maximum safety, a sturdy thermoformed slide is attached to our larger sets with a flange that bends down and mounts to the side of the deck's frameboard in such a way that prevents it from coming loose or falling. It is made of a high molecular weight polyethylene, a plastic that is strong and shatter-resistant.
 
Monkey Bars    
Splinter-Proof Monkey Bars and Fireman's Pole: For the utmost in safety and strength and to protect little hands from splinters, Woodlawn uses only powder coated steel monkey bar rungs and fireman's poles. Wooden dowels, no matter how smooth at purchase, will age, crack, splinter and wear. Powder coating also provides a tough durable finish that is resistant to chips and scratches. To avoid falls, we warn against climbing on top of monkey bars.
 

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Woodlawn Playcenters have met or surpassed 23 safety provisions and standards