When I was growing up, the metal jungle gym in our backyard made ours the most popular play spot in the neighbourhood. Built of tubular steel in bright orange and yellow, it was a honeycombed hexagon that provided days of climbing, swinging and acrobatic fun. These days, the jungle gym is called a climbing frame, and it may be made of wood, metal or plastic, but the fun factor remains the same. If you have young children, a climbing frame in the back yard or garden can offer hours upon hours of fun recreation and activity. Climbing frames come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, and most are customizable with add-ons and accessories.
You can start with a simple ladder type climbing frame and add accessories like platforms, ladders, rope climbers, tents, rope bridges and more. One easy way to classify climbing frames is by materials used. Wooden climbing frames are generally more expensive than either plastic or metal framed climbers. Made of pressure-treated lumber, they use galvanized screws for fastening and often include enclosures, platforms and rope climbing ladders. Wooden climbing frames can last a lifetime if properly cared for, and be used by generation after generation of children.
Popular additions to wooden climbing frames are canopies, swings, rope climbers and platforms. Perhaps you recall the swing sets of your childhood - tubular metal in bright colors with swings and a slide, and perhaps a glider. Todays metal climbing frames are the next generation. The product of increased safety awareness and health studies, they're designed with fun AND safety in mind. They often include horizontal ladders for climbing and swinging, slides, and bars for more intricate feats of balance and swinging.
They're the closest to the old monkey bars and jungle gyms that we all grew up with. Made popular by such manufacturers as Playskool and Little Tikes, plastic climbing frames are made of high impact, sturdy plastic that can withstand weather and rugged use. Bright colors, rounded corners and clever designs make plastic climbing frames the perfect choice for toddlers and small children. Generally closer to the ground, it often features holes and tunnels for crawling and climbing, broad-based support for safety and slides with rounded rails to prevent tumbles.Finally, there are hybrids - metal frames with wooden structures or plastic components like crawling tunnels and climbing walls. These are most often found in public playgrounds, but there are some available to build in your backyard.
They may be based on a metal frame with a wooden structure or canvas tent, or have a plastic crawling/climbing tube up to a wooden platform. Considerations when buying a climbing frame for your back yard or garden include the age of the children, the amount of use it will get, aesthetic considerations and safety features. A well-constructed climbing frame, whatever the material, is one of the best investments you can make for your family's recreation needs..
Ian Wide writes for several sport and leisure sites including climbing frames and climbing frame, and it may be made of wood, metal or plastic, but the fun factor remains the same. If you have young children, a climbing frame in the back yard or garden can offer hours upon hours of fun recreation and activity. Climbing frames come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, and most are customizable with add-ons and accessories.You can start with a simple ladder type climbing frame and add accessories like platforms, ladders, rope climbers, tents, rope bridges and more. One easy way to classify climbing frames is by materials used. Wooden climbing...
It?s Not Your Father?s Climbing Frame!
The Art Of Gutter Cleaning
Many homeowners clean their own gutters or hire someone each season to properly maintain their homes. What you may not realize is that most gutter systems should be cleaned 3-4 times a year with each season. You may be wondering why should I clean out my gutters so often? The reason is each season trees go through various cycles that can clog up your gutters. In spring, most trees drop seedlings and dead twigs. Spring is also the best time to inspect your gutters for any damages that may have occurred during the winter snow.
In summer, trees lose leaves from heavy storms and high winds. In early fall, you should remove leaves that have fallen early to keep your gutters flowing freely. At the end of fall or early winter, you want to make sure everything has been properly cleared from the gutter system to help prevent ice dams or buildup of ice in your gutters. The extra weight of frozen water in your gutters can easily cause them to pull away from the fascia and in many cases,...
The Art Of Gutter Cleaning
Bunk Bed Basics
Bunk beds are a great way to fit two beds into a smaller space, or to maximize the floor space of a shared room. There are now bunk beds available with storage drawers, roll out mattresses and even some that double as desks and workstations. All the additional amenities that bunk beds now offer are certainly something to be considered, but nothing is more important when purchasing a bunk bed than safety. Know what to look for and you will get a great looking bunk bed that serves its purpose. There are certain things an educated consumer should know to look out for, and it also goes without saying that not all bunk beds are created equal.
There are several manufacturers of bunk beds who make quality furniture pieces, and armed with a little knowledge, you can purchase the right bed for your children.
All bunk beds should have rails for the top bunk. Without question, the number one cause of bunk bed related injuries stems from children falling out of the top bunk....
The risk from working at Heights
In 2004/ 2005 53 people died in the UK and nearly 3,800 were seriously injured as a result of a result of a workplace fall. Falls are the most common cause of death at work.
If you work at height for any task then your employer has a duty under the Working at Height regulations which places a duty of care on employers to protect their employees safety at all times who may be at risk of personal injury from a fall from height.
Latest projects launched by the Health and Safety Executive highlight the risk to the health of workers who conduct duties whilst at height but do insist that this does not mean a ban on the use of ladders as previously reported in the media.
The working at height regulations do not outright the ban in the use of stepladders but place emphasis to employers that they must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks connected with the working duties. This also entails finding reasonable alternatives if possible...
Attic Ladders
An attic ladder is a set of folding steps that can be accessed easily, and folded up when not in use. For homes, garages and warehouses, it is preferred to use this ladder rather than a staircase since it frees up ground space when not in use. Attic ladders are used for entering an overhead area of storage, called an attic. To open an attic ladder that is folded up, a pull cord or a ring is provided for pulling it down. Once opened, the ladder should touch the ground at an angle so that it is easy to climb up.
It is better if attic ladders are fitted with 3 to 5 inches rungs that should be slip resistant.
An attic ladder is a set of folding steps that can be accessed easily, and folded up when not in use. For homes, garages and warehouses, it is preferred to use this ladder rather than a staircase since it frees up ground space when not in use. Attic ladders are used for entering an overhead area of storage, called an attic. To open an attic ladder that is folded...
Boat Ladders
A boat ladder is an essential accessory for boats. They help in climbing in and out of the boats. Boat ladders can assist in climbing in the boat from two ways; one from the deck mount and two from the side. They come in a variety of models ranging from single step to five steps. The height of the boat helps in deciding the number of steps you need.
They are mostly manufactured in a combination of aluminum, stainless steel, vinyl and plastic parts. Boat ladders have two hooks at the top to fit on the boat's side for support.
The width of your boat side should determine the size of the boat ladder hook. Most boat ladders come in folding type models with unbreakable rungs and do not sink in the water.
There are some special boat ladders.
Transom ladders are meant for boats having transoms. Similarly, there are ladders for pontoon boats. Even an electric hydraulic controlled ladder is available for pontoon boats; having two handrails...
Boat Ladders
Rearrange Your Affairs For Maximum Tax Savings
Rearrange Your Affairs For Maximum Tax Savingsby J. Stephen PopeOne way to maximize your business profits is by reducing your taxes.Frequently, income and other taxes could be lowered significantly if only the taxpayer were willing to plan ahead. By taking some simple steps to rearrange your affairs, you could save a fortune!1. Are You Splitting Your Business Income?You may pay reasonable salaries to spouse or children through your incorporated or unincorporated business. If you are not doing...
financial planning Ladders
Strands Jewelry Adds New Style of Eyeglass Chain: The Necklace
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN (ContentDesk) November 19, 2003 - In its continuing efforts to meet customer needs and expand its popular line, Strands Jewelry now offers a necklace style eyeglass chain.According to Strands owner Anita Nagurka, "Not everyone likes what we call the ?Original Style,' in which the ends of the chain attach to the temple of the glasses with rubber loops and remain attached while the glasses are being worn. Some people don't like the distraction of having the chain hanging near...
glasses Ladders It?s Not Your Father?s Climbing Frame!
SOCIAL WORK: A POPULAR CAREER CHOICE March is National Professional Social Work Month
There is no shortage of social problems, and the social work profession is always looking for a few good people. The theme of this year's National Professional Social Work Month is "The Power of Social Work: Pass It On." March was first designated National Professional Social Work Month by The White House in 1984. Each March, the National Association of Social Workers recognizes the heartfelt efforts and hard work of America's dedicated social workers.The number of people who "want to help people"...
Ladders online degree It?s Not Your Father?s Climbing Frame! SOCIAL WORK: A POPULAR CAREER CHOICE March is National Professional Social Work Month