Firefighters have slammed teenagers getting stuck in swings as cases more than double in a year – saying the foolish antics are a drain on public money and resources.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service reports that the number of cases in Newcastle, Sunderland and surrounding areas have sky-rocketed in 2023.
Last year, 14 incidents of the same nature were reported.
But there have been 35 this year so far.
In total, the fire service responded to 91 incidents of people stuck in the park apparatus since 2020.
But the spike is believed to have emerged in 2021, with firefighters concerned it is once again linked to an online trend.
It is typically followed by older children and young adults, attempting to force themselves into toddler swing sets.
They are then filmed trying to get out of it – but if they are unable to, they are left with no choice but to call the fire service.
Those rescued are aged between nine and 15.
Thankfully, none of those involved have suffered any injuries thus far.
In most cases, the children are freed from the set without damaging the swings.
Station manager Jonathan Ramanayake, of TWFRS’s Prevention and Education Department, said: “These kind of rescues are no laughing matter.
“Young people may find it funny that the fire service is responding to these types of incidents but it is a serious waste of emergency service resources.
“If our crews are already in attendance at an incident of this nature, and a genuine life-at-risk emergency occurs, their response will be delayed.
“In a fire or rescue every second counts and we would ask these young people if 30 seconds of fame on social media is worth a life?
“Would they be comfortable knowing the fire service was delayed in getting to a fire at their home because their friend was stuck in a swing set?
“Not only does it hinder our response, but it robs a community of a swing set if we need to remove the swing to free the trapped individual. That is simply not fair.
“Children as old as 15 have been rescued in these incidents and all of those rescued are old enough to know their behaviour is irresponsible.
“We regularly attend schools to deliver safety talks and this advice will feature in those lessons and we would ask parents and guardians to do the same.”
