Fire crews across Scotland have been forced to divert their attention from emergencies to rescue trapped youngsters trying to follow a viral trend.
Growing numbers of children and teenagers across the country have been clambering into baby swing seats as part of a challenge on social media app TikTok.
But at the same time, many have found themselves stuck – requiring the emergency services to help liberate them.
In the last few weeks alone, fire crews have been called to around 50 such incidents across the country.
One engine was needed at Sunnybank Play Park in the Heathryfold area of Aberdeen on Wednesday afternoon, when a teenage girl ended up wedged in a swing.
The embarrassed youngster was rescued without suffering any injuries, or causing any damage to the play equipment.
More than two-and-a-half million people have viewed recent videos uploaded to TikTok with the tag #BabySwing.
Many of these involve youngsters challenging one another to try and sit in a baby swing, then make their way back out again – often leading to circumstances requiring the fire service.
Area Commander Bruce Farquharson, the local senior officer for Aberdeen, said: “We have seen an increase in the number of instances in recent weeks where members of the public have become trapped in children’s play equipment, numbering around 50 such incidents across Scotland.
“We are appealing to young people to avoid this social media trend as firefighters do require to attend at real emergencies and also at a time when emergency services are working to support communities through the current pandemic.
“These types of incident also needlessly impact on social distancing guidelines, which are in place to keep everyone safe.”
The trend has been spreading much further than Scotland.
Last week, fire crews in southern Wales found themselves at two separate incidents in quick succession.
The service later tweeted: “We have released two teenagers from baby swings this evening.
“If you are over the age of four please don’t try and get in one!
“It may hurt when our crews try and get you out.”
Some of these incidents have required play equipment to be cut apart by fire crews.
Others have resorted to old-fashioned remedies such as washing-up liquid to help free people.
One youngster in Manchester was reportedly stuck in a baby swing for around 90 minutes before they were rescued.
