“Invisible Danger” Story of Young Boy Almost Killed at a Playground Resurfaces

After numerous lawsuits and injuries from dangerous tree stake and guy-wire stabilizers, they are still being used, even though they pose a threat to children, one incident in Dallas almost killing an 11 year old boy. The “Retire the Wire” campaign sets out to change that and make parks, neighborhoods, and cities safer for everyone.

As dangerous as steel t-post and wire tree supports are, most people are essentially blind to them, until their child is injured by one. There is an alternative. Ground-level tree stabilizer kits have proven to cost less, provide healthier tree growth, and most of all, are safe for those around the tree. These stabilizer kits allow for deep root watering, oxygen to the root, and time released fertilization, effectively helping the stability and health of the tree. That is enough to make it a better option than the steel stake and wire method. But the stabilizer kits are also installed at ground-level. This eliminates the danger of having a guy-wire and rough metal stake in areas where children play.

The city-wide “Retire the Wire” campaign is calling for help from all citizens concerned for children’s safety and well-being.  For more information visit retirethewire.org and “like” the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/retirethewire . Here, you can get the latest news on our efforts, post photos of these dangerous stakes, sign our support form and share with your friends, family, and coworkers so that we can all help to get the building codes changed for the betterment of our families.

About Retire the Wire

Tree stakes and guy-wire tree supports are dangerous and cause serious injury, once known to result in a near death case. We are set out to gain awareness for this hazard to our children and change it by being informed of the safer alternatives available for all landscaper, homeowners, and park builders.