I want to setup a playset in my backyard. What are the main safety items to consider during the planning phase?

“First, identify the activities your children enjoy”, says Mark Drummond, owner of Backyard Playground, located in Cary.  You should be able to find a quality playset with just the options your family wants. The main concern when choosing a location for your playset is making sure you have proper clearance.
 
Next, pick a good location in your yard.  The main concern is making sure you have proper clearance, says Drummond.  “Plan for six feet of clear space beyond accessories like slides and steps. Swings need the most clearance, with around 12 feet in each direction.”   A slope is common in most yards and, in most cases, would not prevent proper installation of a playset.  However, extra effort may be involved in getting the playset base completely level, which is necessary.  Shade is also a plus but not always possible.

To help layout your playset ideas, take a sheet of plastic or tarp and fold it to the size of your proposed playset base, he says. Lay out pieces of wood for the slide, swingbeam or other attachments, then check for clearances.   This will give you a sense of the whole playset footprint in your backyard.
 
From a stability and safety standpoint, it’s important to choose from playsets that are constructed with large dimension wood (e.g. 4”x 4”), bolts and screws (remember, all bolts should be recessed!).
 
It’s important to make sure that no openings are between 3.5” and 9”.  Otherwise a child’s body could fit through a space, only to have his or her head not fit. One of the last items to consider, says Drummond, is a safe surfacing material.  The most common material is playground mulch. For good protection in the event of a fall, plan for 6” of mulch.