Firefighters are being forced to repeatedly rescue teenagers trapped inside baby swings, after a TikTok challenge backfired.
Crews from across Tyneside have been called out eight times in the past few months after kids old as 17 found themselves entangled while attempting the so-called swing challenge.
The social media stunt involves completing a routine - such as jumping over and lying under the swing - before ending it by sitting down.
You fail if the swing hits your face.
However, eight other youngsters have fresh ways of failing after becoming trapped while attempting the challenge forcing crews to prize them out - potentially putting other people at risk.
“We appreciate that the current situation has been tough on young people and many are looking for ways to keep themselves and their friends entertained," said Ian Warne, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service's head of prevention and education.
"However, although this trend may seem like harmless fun, I’m sure the eight people we’ve helped recently would tell you that it wasn’t worth it.
"It could also put our communities at risk because our crews can’t be in two places at once – being called out to incidents like this could affect our ability to respond to genuine emergencies.
"Please look for safer ways to have fun this summer.”
The service added that the trapped youngsters were aged between the ages of 10 and 17.
Baby and toddler swings are usually designed for children aged under four.
Despite the surge in incidents, the difficult challenge has actually been around on the social media site for about two years.
However, it has started trending again during the pandemic, and has caused headaches for firefighters across the country.
Last month, a 14-year-old from Oxfordshire made global headlines after footage emerged of her having to be rescued from a baby swing by firefighters
And following a string of cases, a spokesperson for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said it shouldn't be up to firefighters to rescue "aspiring social media stars".
