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Hanging A Hammock From A Tree? Make Sure The Tree Is Sound and Strong

March 21st, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

We all know and love the idyllic image of hanging a hammock from a pair of stout trees. That shade-dappled haven calls us like a siren to come and hang out for a while. But even if your hammock’s been hanging from that tree like forever, you must check the tree every year for soundness and stability. Tragically that lesson was brought home in Bromfield MA this week when a mother and 15-year-old daughter were critically injured in a freak backyard accident. The pair were resting in a hammock suspended between trees after doing yardwork. Unknown to them, a 24-inch diameter tree supporting the hammock had rotted over the winter. It fell, pinning them underneath it. The daughter later died from her injuries. The mother is expected to survive. It’s very sad that such a wonderful day spent outdoors together should end so horribly.

The harsh winter has taken a toll on many trees. Here in Georgia the ongoing drought has severely weakened many trees and they can fall in an instant. I’ve got a few on my property (quite smaller than the one in the story) that I’ve literally pushed over with a good shove.

Before you suspend that beautiful hammock from any tree or get into a hammock that’s been hanging from a tree for many seasons, check that tree thoroughly for soundness and stability. Give it a good healthy shove or two. If in doubt, call an arborist to check your trees’ health. Better safe than badly injured or worse. Don’t forget to check the ropes or hammock hanging straps for any signs of decay or wear, and replace them if they’re worn. It’s generally recommended that a tree be at least six to seven inches in diameter to hang a hammock, and that it be a hardwood tree like oak or maple. Check out our previous post for more hammock hanging tips here. Please, before you take that first hammock siesta of the year, check the tree supporting your hammock. Your health and life may indeed hang on it.

Tragedy Claims Bromfield Freshman - via Nashoba Publishing Online 

Hammock With Stand Packages - Save Money And Buy A Set

February 13th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Buying a hammock with stand package is often less expensive than buying the hammock and stand separately. Hammock retailers often pair a great hammock with a complementary stand that you can pick up together at considerable savings. This saves you money and time in choosing the perfect hammock set-up. A wide range of of hammocks - spreader bar or non-spreader bar, quilted, quick-dry, fabric or mesh - are available with a stand. You don’t have to worry about whether the stand will fit the hammock, or if the hammock and stand are compatibly weight rated. No more guesswork. And now is a great time to buy as many stores are clearing their inventories to prepare for new summer merchandise. So don’t think you can’t afford a hammock with stand this summer - shop now and you may be pleasantly surprised! Check out these great hammock with stand packages and other accessories at Hammocks.com.

P.S.: Enter coupon code YS-8368 at checkout and get 10% off any hammock with stand combo purchase of $139 or more at Hammocks.com.

Indoor Hammock Beds: Get a Good Night’s Sleep

January 28th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Indoor hammock beds may sound exotic to you. But in fact hammocks were originally invented as beds in the tropical jungles of Central and South America. Nothing can beat a hammock for absolute and total relaxation. It is said that well over 10 million people worldwide currently use hammock beds fulltime. Let’s look at a few reasons why you might consider replacing your mattress and box spring with an indoor bedroom hammock.

Indoor Hammock Beds Are Comfortable, Healthful, Inexpensive

Anyone who has lounged in a hammock can attest to its amazing sleep-inducing powers. There’s actually a good reason for this. The hammock bed custom molds itself to your body and supports it without creating pressure points. When sleeping on a mattress the body is forced to constantly turn and move to keep redistributing your weight and relieve stress on the parts of the body that are in contact with and supporting your weight on the mattress’ flat surface. This in turn can disrupt your sleep and prevents you from experiencing deep relaxation that’s so necessary for complete rest and renewal. The hammock suspends and supports your body weight in air, eliminating pressure points and the need to toss and turn. Your weight is evenly distributed and you relax fully. The gentle rocking motion of the hammock bed further helps calm and relax your body and mind.

If you are sleep-deprived and generally don’t rest well at night, you might try sleeping in a indoor hammock bed. It’s generally recognized that chronic lack of sleep contributes to fatigue, metabolic and immune system problems; and may even precipitate the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Back pain and arthritis sufferers may benefit from the lack of pressure points that can cause morning stiffness and pain. Because you don’t lie flat to sleep, hammocks may be a creative way to cope with nighttime acid reflux. It’s also claimed that people with Huntington’s disease who often suffer from involuntary tremors or chorea may also benefit from an indoor bedroom hammock. Hammocks are relatively cheap and easily replaced. And as I mentioned in my earlier post on indoor hammocks, they are an inexpensive and creative guest bed option.

Best Indoor Bedroom Hammocks

The best hammocks to use for beds are the non-spreader bar types such as the Nicaraguan, Mayan and Brazilian hammocks. These sides of these hammocks safely enfold you to help keep you from falling at night. Look for Mayan and Nicaraguan hammocks woven with thick cords. Brazilian and Columbian hammocks are generally made from cloth and are great for cool climates. Cotton and DuraCord hammocks are great choices as they will soften with use over time. Cloth or fabric hammock beds are generally thought to be safer if you have small children; but your young child must be made to understand that the hammock is not a toy or jungle gym to play on or around. Older children and teens may enjoy sleeping in a fabric hammock bed. Be sure to measure your bedroom well to know if you have room to hang your hammock bed, whether you use a hammock stand or not.

Are hammock beds a miracle cure? No, but they’re the next best thing to utopian sleep perfection. Consider trying indoor hammock beds and see how much better you feel in the morning.

Do NOT Allow Children To Play On Or Around Hammocks

December 17th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

I just saw this sad story today from Indiana (USA)…an 8 year old who died of strangulation after becoming tangled in a homemade hammock while playing with his brothers and a friend. Hammocks are wonderful fun for adults and, with proper adult supervision, children. But hammocks are dangerous for young children to play around or on because kids can all too easily fall or become trapped in the hammock and strangle themselves. I am not a advocate of toy hammocks (small hammocks used for toy storage in a child’s room) for this very reason. Children are just too tempted by the hanging hammock not to try to swing from it, and the results can be fatal. My heart goes out to the family. This is a terrible tragedy, especially just before Christmas. I cannot say it enough - please do not allow children to play around or on any hammock.

8-Year Old Strangled By Hammock In Family’s Basement -  WRTV Indianapolis IN

Steel Hammock Post Is Removable for Easy Yard Maintenance

December 8th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

This steel hammock post by Algoma elegantly solves your hammock hanging problems. For starters, no more worries about where to hang your hammock. If you don’t have two suitable trees in your yard - or any suitable trees, for that matter - you can still hang a hammock wherever you like by installing one or two of these metal hammock posts. Secondly, it’s removable, meaning that you can neatly mow and maintain your lawn around the hammock post without having to resort to the string trimmer (which lashing might mar the forest green powdercoat finish). The green color is designed to blend into your yard. Sturdy 11-gauge metal is rated to hold 325 pounds and is weather-resistant.

The steel ground post has a “ground tube” or sleeve which goes into the ground to support the hammock post. You’ll dig a hole about 24 to 27 inches in depth. The ground tube is secured in this hole by backfilling cement around it. Detailed installation instructions and handy tips are included with the hammock steel post kit along with s-hooks and a post cap that can be used on the post, or to cap the ground tube when the hammock post is not in use. Note that the steel hammock post is suitable for stretcher bar hammocks only. The posts are not tall enough to hang a non-stretcher bar hammock.

Even if the ground is frozen solid where you live, take advantage of cheap off-season pricing and gift yourself or a friend with one or two of these. It won’t be winter forever…. You’re welcome! Check out this steel hammock post today.

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