Fellows Elementary School received a face-lift Saturday, but other playgrounds may also need inspection to guarantee the safety of the equipment.

A Des Moines boy’s death last month that resulted from his backyard swing set falling on his head disturbed many members of the community. The construction and structure of playground equipment is an important factor associated with accidents.

There has been a shift in the design of playground equipment in recent years. Many schools have gone from traditional playground equipment like merry-go-rounds, slides, monkey bars and swings, to wooden castle structures that incorporate all the equipment in one structure.

Fellows Elementary School has had their modern castle playground for nearly four years.

Karl Schloerke, principal of Fellows Elementary School, said the same rules are applied to the castle playground that were applied to traditional playground equipment. “We have a two-page set of rules for supervisors and students who use and oversee the use of the playground.”

Schloerke said the modern playgrounds are more difficult to monitor. A person outside the castle cannot see inside of it well, because the structure is big and connected. “We need more people in and around it to monitor it properly.”

At Fellows Elementary School there have been no major accidents on the playground equipment except for the occasional scrapes and bruises.

The difference between traditional playground equipment and modern playground equipment is that it requires more maintenance. “It needs to be maintained every year,” Schloerke said. “The community help makes it possible for us to maintain the playground equipment.”

The safety of playground equipment used by residents, like the equipment that resulted in a Des Moines boy’s death, prompted a major concern in residents.

Wal-Mart, 3015 Grand Ave., a local Ames retailer of playground equipment, has not had any playground equipment brought back because of defects.

Mark Pistorius, store manager, said the only inquires concerning playground equipment by customers have been those of missing parts.

“People sue Wal-Mart everyday for something, so I couldn’t say if we’ve ever been sued for defective playground equipment,” Pistorius said.

To help prevent tragic playground accidents from occurring, like the one involving the local Des Moines boy, playground equipment should be thoroughly inspected routinely to recognize defective equipment, he said.