A:Answer Yes, it's slow release after you unlock it from the upright position. On his first try, my husband pushed his foot against the gas canister thingy labeled with a footprint decal and had no problem releasing the platform down. It took me a few tries to get the hang of it because you sort of need to be pressing your foot against it while slightly pushing up the platform at the same time before it fully releases. I have dogs & totally trust they're safe around the equipment because it's highly unlikely they'd be motivated to push against the platform when it's upright, let alone be able to push/pull on it at the same time. I don't have kids around, yet they'd have to be left attended and keep banging against just the right spot while push/pulling down on it. Regardless whether slow or not, once released, it would be a nightmare for a child to be underneath the platform as it comes down. Other than cleaning underneath it, I have no reason to pull the platform up anyway, so I'd leave it down if you have that option when the kiddos are around.
