COLUMBIA, S.C. — The days of the flimsy metal backyard swingset are pretty much gone.

In its place is sturdier, often wooden or heavy plastic play equipment, with everything from climbing walls to wave slides to monkey bars. And, of course, swings.

THE LAY OF THE LAND

First, look at your yard. Figure out the level area where you plan to put the playset and see how much space you are working with. You will need 6 feet of clearance all around. Don't install a playset right next to a fence, swimming pool or tree, and look out for low-hanging wires.

Don't have a perfectly level yard? Some manufacturers, such as Rainbow Play Systems, make extended A-frame legs, chain ladders and monkey bars that work on uneven yards.

THE LEVEL OF PLAY

Playsets feature everything from simple monkey bars and slides to bridges and climbing walls.

Consider your child's age. Some experts suggest buying a system appropriate for a 10-year-old, even if your child is younger. Or you can buy an expandable system that grows along with your child, to make it more interesting and challenging.

TAKE NOTE

There are plenty of other considerations:

• Installation (are you skilled enough to put the kits together or should you pay someone?)

• Warranty

• Maintenance

• Upkeep

Treated or painted woods might require upkeep in the future.

Bad design or rough wood can lead to cuts and broken bones.

SAFETY FIRST

Backyard safety is one of the biggest concerns for parents. Here are guidelines from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Always supervise children on swing equipment.

• Most injuries are caused by falls. Install a protective surface under and around play equipment to reduce the likelihood of serious head injuries. Use wood chips for equipment that stands 8 feet high, or sand for equipment up to 5 feet high. Have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials.

• Make sure each piece of equipment has at least 6 feet of play area around it. For swings, be sure surfacing extends, in back and front, twice the height of the suspending bar.

• Do not allow children to wear helmets, especially ones with chin straps, and never attach ropes or cords of any kind to the equipment.

• Close "S" hooks and other types of hooks so that the gaps are less than the thickness of a dime.

• Make sure spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs, measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.

• Look out for tripping hazards, such as exposed concrete footings, tree stumps and rocks.

• Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.

PRICE CHECK

Prices of playsets vary widely. Many of the high-end units are custom built at your home, allowing you to pick the features that work best for your family.

High-end, custom designed and built wooden systems run about $2,000 to $4,000. See www.rainbowplay.com and www.cedwarworks.com/ for examples.

Endless Adventure Playcenter by Little Tikes, made of plastic, features swings, a glider, 4-foot high platform and enclosed fort. It's $899 at www.littletikes.com.

You also can buy do-it-yourself kits from toy and hardware stores.

At Lowe's, the Next Generation Tower Ready-to-Assemble kit is $535. It features three play activities, a 24 1/2-square-foot play deck, and cut cedar and cypress stained wood.

At Home Depot, the Swing-N-Slide Brookview No-Cut Ready-To-Build Play Set Kit is $599.

SOURCES: Mike Verdone, co-owner of Creative Outdoor Designs in Irmo, Minn., which specializes in commercial products; Rainbow Play Systems (www.rainbowplay.com); Lowe's; Home Depot; CedarWorks (www.cedarworks.com/); Little Tikes; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission