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First of all, if you’re a restaurant owner and you have a playground on the premises – you’re great. Kids need to run around and have fun, and they can’t quite do that in a crowded restaurant – at least not safely. So, once again, kudos to you!
Now, what we wanted to talk to you about today is maintaining your playground and the equipment therein. These tips are important not just for the safety of the kids that will be playing there, but also for your liability in case something does happen.
Inspect Equipment Regularly
First and foremost, you need to inspect the equipment on a regular basis. Look for any sharp edges, cracks, or anything else that could potentially hurt a child. Also, check for things like swing chains that are too long – they could get wrapped around a child’s hand or god forbid neck and cause serious injury.
As for often “regularly” is – we’d say daily. If you have the time, do it in the morning before opening. If not, then set aside some time (a few minutes) each day to give everything a look.
Clean Equipment Frequently
The second tip is to clean the equipment frequently – at least once a week. This will help to keep the equipment looking nice, but it will also remove any dirt or debris that could potentially cause injury.
But, if you really want to take our advice – we’d say clean it every day. Just like you’re cleaning the tables and everything else in the restaurant. By you, we mean your employees. Just make sure you don’t have waiters or bartenders doing it. They have other worries.
Replace Parts And Accessories Immediately
If you find any broken parts or accessories on the playground equipment, replace them immediately. There’s no time like the present as they say. Again, this is for safety reasons – you don’t want a child to get hurt because of something that could have easily been fixed.
But also, every minor repair that you make now will save you from having to replace the entire piece of equipment later. And we all know how expensive that can be. So, don’t ignore the small cracks and chips – they’ll only get worse with time.
Invest In Quality Equipment Early-On
Arguably the best thing you can do to ensure a long-lasting playground is to invest in quality equipment from the start. Yes, it might be more expensive up-front, but it will save you money in the long run. Not to mention, it will be much safer for the kids that use it.
So, when you’re looking at playground equipment – don’t just go for the cheapest option. Do yourself a solid and look at equipment from reputable sources like playgroundparts.com.au and make sure your favorite guests and their parents have fun and feel safe.
Post Rules For Safe Play Nearby The Equipment
We know, we know… Nobody like rules on the playgrounds, but they’re there for a reason. They help to ensure that everyone remains safe and sound while playing. So, make sure you post the rules for safe play near the equipment.
Now, you don’t have to be too strict about the rules – they’re kids. But if you do notice five kids going down the slide simultaneously or something like that – it’s time to ask the parents to step in, for everyone’s safety.
Supervise Children At All Times
Since their parents will be dining without a care in the world, it’s your job to make sure their children are supervised at all times. Yes, this means you’ll have to assign someone to do it – we’re not saying you should do it yourself.
But it is important, and you shouldn’t take it lightly. Things can happen quickly on the playground, so it’s important that there’s always someone there to keep an eye on things.
Cover The Equipment
This one is more for when the restaurant is closed or when bad weather is expected. You see, when playground equipment is left out in the rain or snow – it can become rusty and unsafe. So, whenever possible – cover it up. This will also help to keep it clean and looking new.
Don’t Use Harsh Cleaning Chemicals
Not only can harsh chemicals destroy the lining of your playground equipment, but they could also be harmful to the children that use it. So, whenever you’re cleaning the equipment – make sure you’re using gentle, child-safe cleaners.
In most cases, water and soap will do the trick. Maybe even some white vinegar or baking soda. But if you need something stronger, look for cleaners that are made specifically for playground equipment.
Don’t Forget About The Rest Of The Playground
Think of it this way. You clean both the tables and the floor in your restaurant, right? Well, the same goes for the playground. Just because the equipment is clean – doesn’t mean the rest of the area is.
So, make sure you’re regularly sweeping and cleaning the entire playground – not just the equipment. This will help to keep it looking its best and keep the parents and kids coming back.
It may also prevent accidents. A tall grass might be soft, but not every trip and fall will be harmless, so keep it short.
Speaking of keeping the grass short…
Keep Surfacing Materials Clean And Levelled
By keeping surfaces properly levelled, sand cleaned and grass trimmed – you can help to prevent any trips and falls. Not to mention, it will make the playground look a lot more inviting.
And, while kids don’t really care whether they play in a clean or dirty playground – their parents do. And you do, too. So, it’s important to make sure the area is always clean and presentable.
Final Tip – Take These Tips To Heart
And that’s it! Those are our best tips on how to maintain your restaurant playground equipment. If you take these tips to heart, we promise you – the playground will last for years and years. And most importantly, the kids will always be safe.