| Hammocks are a great source of rest and | | | | sleepy after a nap. Always position your outside |
| relaxation. However, because they bring such calm | | | | hammock with plenty of firm ground around it. |
| to our lives we often neglect the ways | | | | - Exercise patience when getting in and out of a |
| hammocks can be injurious, even dangerous. | | | | hammock. Climbing into a hammock safely is a |
| Following are a number of precautions that should | | | | matter of balance. Without taking care to sit |
| be taken while using them. | | | | gently into the center before lifting your legs into |
| - Be sure your hammock is secure. Only hang | | | | it, you could end up on the ground or floor. Get |
| your hammock on a sound hammock stand or | | | | out of a hammock using the same approach in |
| between two well established posts or trees. | | | | reverse: swing your legs over, onto the ground |
| Check that the hanging equipment is in good | | | | floor then stand from a sitting position. |
| condition and that both ends are attached | | | | Watch out for how children play in and around |
| properly. All this may sound obvious, but | | | | hammocks! DISCOURAGE |
| sometimes in the eagerness of setup, people get | | | | - jumping into a hammock; |
| careless about these basic steps. Lying in a | | | | - running around an empty hammock: a child could |
| hammock that collapses suddenly can not only | | | | slip and fall into a swinging bed and then be flipped |
| hurt, but can result in more serious bodily harm. | | | | onto the ground or floor; and |
| - Check hammock stretch. A hammock not taut | | | | - "horsing around" when two or more children are |
| enough when suspended results in a sagging bed, | | | | in a hammock. Their motions could sway the |
| forcing excessive curvature (lying on one's back) | | | | hammock, resulting in a fall. Also, of note: during |
| or extension (lying on one's stomach) of the spine. | | | | play, small arms and legs can get tangled in rope |
| Resting in these positions even for only an hour | | | | hammocks. (These hammocks pose no hazard if |
| can produce back pain later, as back muscles | | | | used properly.) |
| readjust to healthier alignment. Read the | | | | Safety also depends on a hammock's condition. |
| hammock manufacturer's instructions carefully | | | | Before hanging your hammock, examine it for |
| regarding how to hang your product properly. | | | | any signs of deterioration. Note that rope and |
| Contact the manufacturer if directions about | | | | fabric cotton hammocks tend to rot and mildew |
| hanging tension are absent or not clear. | | | | faster than those made of synthetic materials. |
| - Give your hammock plenty of space. You may | | | | With proper care and use, a good quality product |
| have seen Internet or magazine photographs of | | | | can provide many years of service. Be sure to |
| beautiful hammocks set up outside, next to steep | | | | dry out your hammock frequently to retard any |
| drops such as the edge of a pool. As appealing as | | | | damage from rain or humidity. When it is not in |
| these images may appear, such arrangements | | | | use, store it dry, in a bag or box to protect it |
| represent a dangerous hazard for those getting | | | | from nibbling animals. |
| out of the hammock, particularly if they are | | | | |