Step2

The kids are almost out of school, temperatures are rising all across the country, and outdoor toys are being brought back outside. This means one thing – Summer is almost here!

At Step2, safety is our number one priority; so we’ve devised some tips for getting your outdoor Step2 products ready for summer fun.

Wagons & Ride-Ons

• Review assembly instructions [available on all product pages (example)] to verify products meet all safety requirements as installed
• Check seat belts on wagons and ride-ons to insure that they are secure, the buckles function and the fabric is not weathered or damaged
• Look for signs of excess wear on wagon and ride on wheels
• Check for bent axles or casters
• Look for cracking on any handles

Swings & Climbing Equipment

• Review assembly instructions to verify products meet all safety requirements as installed
• Check for obstacles around home playground equipment  (there should be a minimum of 6 ½ feet clearance around the perimeter of the equipment)
• Check all hardware on climbing & swing set equipment to make sure they are tight and make sure anchors are in place and beneath surface level
• Check swing ropes on climber/swing sets to insure they are in good condition with no signs of fraying or rotting from sun/weather exposure. If you see signs of wear, please call Step2 at 1-800-347-8372 to order a swing replacement kit.

Sand & Water Products

• Make sure sandbox lids are intact to keep sand clean and critters out
• Check umbrellas for proper installation, function and fit.  Check umbrellas for exposed metal tips or torn fabric.  Remove damaged umbrella from use.
• Check all sand & water product plugs for wear and make sure they are inserted all the way to prevent leakage

Additional Outdoor Toys

• Review assembly instructions to verify products meet all safety requirements as installed
• Check to see if basketball/football bases are properly weighted with sand or water
• Check for cracks in any plastic toy before use
• Products can be washed with a mild soap & water
• Use Armor All®* to shine up your Step2 mailbox or playhouse after washing (not recommended for use on climbing/swing equipment for safety reasons)

Replacement parts & decals to spruce up your products (with exception to some discontinued products) are available at reasonable prices by calling us toll free at 1-800-347.8372 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM ET.

*Armor All® is a registered trademark of Armor All Group

We’re continuing our Quarterly Assembly Video Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree at Step2.com. To make the entry process easier, we have added an entry tab to the Step2 Facebook page. To enter to win, just provide your name and email, and upload a video of your Step2 toy assembly directly on Facebook. For all the information, check out the official rules.

The next winner will be selected on October 1, notified via email on October 3, and announced on Facebook on October 5.

Take a look at last quarter’s winner!

Good luck!

In case you’ve lost your assembly instructions, we offer downloadable instruction guides directly on our product pages at Step2.com.

To ensure the assembly process is as simple as possible, our customer service team has offered these suggestions:

• Read the directions first and make sure that all of the necessary pieces are included in the box
• Separate all of the pieces into different categories to expedite the assembly process
• If you are having trouble putting two pieces together, try using liquid dish soap to allow parts to fit together easily, or use a hair dryer on low heat and gently blow over each connecting area to warm the plastic to make it more pliable
• If there is plastic inside a screw hole, or if the hole is a little too small, gently rub the hole with sandpaper or use a potatoes peeler to remove the excess plastic
• If a part of the toy becomes damaged during the building process, or if a part is missing from the box, please call 1-800-347-8372 Monday – Friday, from 8-5 ET to order replacement parts
• If you need a copy of assembly instructions for a discontinued product, email us the name or a detailed description of the product and we will email you the instructions.
• We also offer step-by-step video instruction guides for the Naturally Playful® Adventure Lodge Play Center, Naturally Playful® Adventure Lodge Play Center with Glider, and Clubhouse Climber.

With the new year comes eight (yes, eight!) chances to win a shopping spree to Step2.com.  All you need to enter is a video camera, a Step2 toy, and your little one.

Step2 Assembly Video Sweepstakes

We will be holding a quarterly drawing in 2011 for customers who submit home videos of their Step2 toys assembly. They will be given a chance to win a $1,000 Step2.com shopping spree. To be entered into the drawing, just submit your toy assembly video as an attachment to Step2 at step2videos@gmail.com.

Submitted videos must be kept under 15 minutes in length and no larger than 2 GB to be entered into the drawing. We will also feature your video on The Step2 YouTube Channel and possibly on our product pages. For all the information, check out the Assembly Video Sweepstakes official rules.

Please know that we aren’t looking for professional videos, just real-life Step2 moms and dads capturing the assembly of their child’s toy. Please don’t feel like you have to edit out any frustration during the process. By being honest about the assembly in the video, we can use your feedback to better enhance the process.

See what we mean:
Moms In Motion: Fresh Market Kitchen

Step2 Playtime Video Quarterly Sweepstakes

We’re giving you another chance to win a Step2.com shopping spree this year, by submitting a video of your child playing with his or her favorite Step2 toy. We will be holding a separate quarterly drawing in 2011 for customers who submit playtime videos, giving them a chance to win a $350 Step2.com shopping spree. Again, just submit your playtime video as an attachment to Step2 at step2videos@gmail.com to be entered into the drawing.

Playtime videos must be at least 30 seconds and no more than 15 minutes in length to be entered into the drawing. We will be featuring these videos on our YouTube channel as well. For all the information, check out the Playtime Video Quarterly Sweepstakes official rules.