A Giant Tube Slide Can Be a Serious Safety Hazard
Children need to take risks and challenge themselves, but they should also be protected from severe injury. Giant tube slides, like the one that recently broke a four-year-old girl’s legs in Australia, present serious safety hazards.
Like traditional playground slides, a commercial tube slide features a raised platform and a chute. However, the chute on a tube slide is more like a tunnel and is enclosed.
Enclosed Slides
There’s something about that little rush of speed a kid feels as they race down toward the ground that makes slides one of the most beloved pieces of playground equipment. Kids can also feel a whole new perspective as they slide down taller slides, taking in the world from an elevated viewpoint.
A tube slide is a great way to add a touch of adventure to any playground, whether it’s a simple straight model or a larger spiral version. Even better, these types of enclosed slides can easily be customized to fit any design or play structure, as long as they are built in a way that can support the weight level of a child.
These kinds of slides can also be built out of metal or plastic. Plastic tends to be the more popular material, as it’s more affordable playground tube slide and easy to install in a playground. However, some customers may prefer the more rugged feel of a metal slide.
Kids can climb up and access their slide through a series of secure handrails that run the length of the tube, making it an especially safe choice for children. The only downside of a tube slide is that the sides of the chute obscure children, meaning parents may not be able to see them as they ride.
Safety Surface
Unlike metal slides that were once widely used in playgrounds but are now rarely seen because of their dangers to children, tube slides made from plastic offer a fun, safe play experience that can be easily maintained. Plastic slides are also typically molded into unique shapes for added play value.
The design of tube slides also helps children learn to take turns on equipment. While this is a great way for kids to build coordination and social skills, it can also teach them to respect the wishes of others. It’s important for parents and teachers to remind kids that they should only use a piece of equipment once the person before them has climbed off.
As with all types of playground equipment, it’s important to have adequate safety surfacing around the slide. This prevents injuries to children who fall off while sliding or from tripping on the equipment. It’s also critical to have a non-entanglement zone around the slide and clear, unobstructed paths to and from the slide.
A tube slide requires a specific type of safety surfacing, known as a landing or mat. It must have a minimum thickness of 9 inches and be designed to absorb impact. The mat should extend over the entire area of the slide. It’s also important to make sure there are no other objects, structures or equipment that can interfere with a child’s ability to come to a full stop at the end of their slide.
Length
Like traditional slides, playground tube slides feature a raised platform and a chute. However, a key difference is that a tube or tunnel slide’s chute is designed to look more like the shape of a tube or a tunnel rather than a straight chute. This playground tube slide gives them a more exciting appearance that can help attract more kids to play on your playground.
Because of their enclosed nature, tube slides are also able to handle a little more speed than open slides. This allows children to travel a greater distance on each ride, and it also helps prevent the potential for injury that can occur when people attempt to brake or slow down within an open slide’s twisting turns.
The enclosed design of a playground tube slide can also make it safer for children to climb up to the platform, as well as to get onto and off of the chute. This is because the stairs approach deck level from both sides, so a child can easily grab hold of the galvanized steel handrails on each side as they make their way up or down.
Our playground tube slides are available in a number of lengths to accommodate different deck heights, and they can have either a straight or spiral chute. They are fully commercial grade and meet International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) specifications, so you’ll see them on playgrounds at parks & recreation areas, public school systems, community centers, homeowner associations and more. They are made in the USA, and you can choose from several colors of roto-molded plastic.
Type
A playground tube slide differs from traditional slides in that the chute is shaped like a tunnel or tube. This type of playground equipment is more cost-effective and provides children with a new experience that they’ll want to repeat over and over again.
Kids of all ages can enjoy a tube slide, but they’re especially appealing to younger kids who are still developing their coordination and strength. These slides can be used to develop gross motor skills and help kids burn off excess energy in a safe way. They’re also less intimidating than other playground structures, which can require a certain amount of courage and coordination to use.
Plastic commercial slides are more versatile than metal options because they can be made in different shapes and colors, making them more fun for kids to play on. They’re also easy to clean and more durable than metal slides. However, they may degrade over time unless they’re treated to resist weathering and UV rays.
Additionally, plastic playground slides don’t generate static electricity like metal ones do, which can interfere with cochlear implants and be uncomfortable for many children. Because of these drawbacks, metal slides are more likely to be found in high-end playgrounds or those that cater to adults.