Do you think adding a pulley to a playstructure is hazardous?

What a sad story. We have tree climbing ropes (left by our arborist) in our play area. My son ties great knots and does wonderful things with them.

I think with caution ropes and pulleys would be fine.

My kids don't tend to play ALONE in our play area.

My older son (7) is allowed out there with friends and no supervision (he's not going to open the gate and leave the yard) so I'd assume a friend would let me know if there was danger.

My four year old is NOT allowed in the play area without supervision (often just me sitting on a deck out of sight of the kids playing, listening to them) because she's not trustworthy in terms of leaving the yard without asking.

So I would say the answer depends upon how you use your play structure. Older kids using it with other friends should be safe. Older kids alone... will they WANT to play alone? If so it may be an issue. Younger kids... supervision always (same refrain you hear all the time).

How sad for the family in the above post. A tragic accident. No one at fault; no one can be ever vigilant to all dangers, but how horrible for the family and friends of the little girl.

The problem is, kids rarely play with a toy the exact way it was intended. So, it might only be a matter of time before one of the kids decides to slide down it, or climb on it.

Just look at what happens when you give a group of pre-schoolers or young grade schoolers a jump rope. They don't jump. They tie each other up with it, and then run through the yard dragging each other around. There isn't really anything wrong with misusing a jump rope, but it's what might happen when the kids are alone, and nobody notices.

I would be leery of that, just because you can't be outside watching them the whole time. Especially if your yard is fenced, kids deserve some play time without being hovered over. My other fear would be that it looks like an expensive toy, and it will likely be broken soon. Probably by a neighbor kid, but, kids do silly things. It's part of playing.

I would probably tie a bucket to a jump rope, and throw it over one pole. Then I would take it down when I wasn't going to be outside.

I would ad a pully system to a play structure but I would go to a hardware store and build it myself. I home school and it would be a wonderful learning experience for the kids. Plus my son is the child that would hurt himself trying to carry to much up at one time. He would have an arm full of stuff climbing up the ladder and slip. My dd would be the ones to throw stuff up and hit her brother trying to catch it causing stitches (If it sound like it has been from a BTDT perscpective it is)