Are you thinking of buying a hammock but you are worried about how safe they are?
It’s a common question we get asked but you need not be concerned. Hammocks are very safe and easy to get into. In all our years selling hammocks we have never heard of any case, amongst our customers, where a hammock has failed or someone has fallen out.
Yes, accidents can and do happen, but mostly it is down to the person and not the hammock. (Case in point! 10 Funny Hammock Fails)
So, this is for anyone who is thinking of getting a hammock or who has owned one for several years – let’s talk hammocks and safety.
Go for the best one you can afford.
There are a lot of companies selling hammocks but only a few are worth looking at. Making hammocks is a specialized skill and the best hammocks are made by hand. Yes, you can spend £20 and get a hammock from eBay that was made in China, but it will not last and have been known to break when you least expect
Think about it, the primary role of a hammock is to be able to support the weight of whoever sits on it so you can relax. A lot of tension is going through the material and its ropes. Each rope has a role to play at balancing the weight, get it wrong and it will stress the ropes and material leading to fail.
All our hammocks are made by hand, using traditional techniques and materials. They are the finest hammocks in the world, trust us, we did the research. They come with safety accreditations (GS Safety Marks, TUV ISO 9001), 12 month warranty and get tested to over 600kg. This isn’t just on our hammocks, we also test our stands and fixings with the same level of care.
The whole point of a hammock is so you can relax so you don’t want to be worrying about whether it will snap or not.
TIPS FOR THE INVENTOR IN YOU:
We know you love to make things. Turning that old skateboard and fan into a new ride. But please, leave the hammocks to the experts. It isn’t just a bed sheet and some ropes. It will be a recipe for disaster, so leave the bedding on the bed!
Hanging your hammock
Once you have got the hammock sorted, you now need to hang it. Gravity is not your friend when it comes to hammocks so make sure it is securely anchored.
"It will only be as strong as what it’s fixed to."Choose sturdy trees, solid walls and good wood and if you want the hassle removed just go for a hammock with a stand.Before trying your hammock test out the support. Make sure there are no cracks or splinters that can break off and in the case of trees – make sure it won’t bend with the weight. If you are not 100% sure, set your hammock a few inches from the ground so if it does fail you won’t have far to fall. Always clear the area beneath the hammock from any sharp objects and avoid hanging it over ledges or at considerable height. If you are using a stand on a balcony, make sure you secure it so that it won’t get blown off.
Proper use of the hammocks
Hammocks are designed to withstand a certain amount of weight; this information is given on each product at Simply Hammocks (Load Capacity). It is a guide and many of our hammocks will support a lot more that we say, but it would invalidate your warranty. Therefore loading 5 adults onto a single hammock runs the risk of the rope snapping or the support breaking off. Make sure that you know the capacity of the hammock and everybody that uses it does too.
Also, never get on a hammock by jumping or hopping onto it. The sudden pressure can cause the support to give way. The proper way to do it is to sit first, then swing your feet up and onto the hammock. Educate children that hammocks are not trampolines.
It is also worthwhile to maintain your hammock periodically. Inspect it for any damages and if found, do the necessary steps to repair or replace it as needed.
These are just the basics when it comes to safety in hammocks, but if followed it can ensure that you and your family are swinging safely.
