(continued)

Had this toy.

This is the shape of the traditional Mexican hammock, of which we have several. Another danger is that of using it as an impromptu swing: place friend inside, wrap hammock round them like a chrysalis, then swing round 'till they nearly fall out at the top of the arc. Swap over, and repeat.

These hammocks were also sold as adult hammocks meant to hold up to 4 people. The trick was to lie in them sideways. It was the most comfortable hammock I ever used. Unfortunately, the strings started breaking, and eventually you had to discard it.

My sister was 7 when she popped a Gobstopper in her mouth and lay in a hammock. She fell out, hitting the side of her face on the ground. The Gobstopper was in that cheek, and it tore up the inside of her mouth. Another sister put a folding chair on a swing and climbed on. The chair folded up and cut off the tip of her finger. My brother was a year old when he put a suction cup toy over one eye. Instead of lifting the edge to remove it, our babysitter pulled it straight off, giving him a perfectly round black eye. Kids can make anything dangerous. What doesn't end tragically becomes a loved family story. I've always said, "There is a thin line between America's Funniest Home Videos and Rescue 911".