Warning over TikTok craze as teenagers get stuck in toddlers’ swings

London Fire Brigade (LFB) stated it had responded to 21 situations of individuals trapped in swings this yr – all linked to the problem on the video-sharing app.

Twelve incidents came about in the previous month.

The weird pattern sees teenagers try and pressure themselves into the swings’ metallic frames.

Firefighters had been referred to as to Ruislip in north-west London on Saturday to assist a 14-year-old lady stuck in a swing.

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Crews needed to dismantle the swing and use strain to broaden it across the lady so they may free her.

LFB stated the firefighters concerned had been “acutely aware they had been being filmed by the lady’s pals however they hadn’t beforehand been conscious of the problem”.

In one other incident, an individual was helped out of a swing by firefighters in a play space in Sutton, south London, whereas being filmed by a gaggle of teenagers.

Fire providers throughout the UK have spoken out concerning the variety of calls they’ve acquired to help folks in related conditions.

They are urging teenagers to assume twice earlier than participating in the problem and losing firefighters’ time.

LFB’s assistant commissioner for hearth stations, Jane Philpott, stated: “Our firefighters attend all kinds of difficult incidents and much be it from us to evaluate the precarious positions some folks discover themselves in.

“But in their quest for TikTok fame, folks have been doubtlessly diverting our crews from extra critical incidents and that isn’t one thing we wish to see.

“Each job our firefighters do attend takes time and we hope to forestall additional callouts to such incidents by issuing this warning.

“We would ask folks to please simply assume twice earlier than participating in this problem – consider the accidents you can trigger your self, the injury to the swings which need to be reduce aside, and most of all the very fact you’re tying up sources which may very well be wanted for a real emergency.

“It could be a enjoyable story in your pals, however losing the time of emergency providers is critical.”

Last yr firefighters assisted 52 folks stuck in swings, up from 32 in 2019.

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