You can hang a hammock in your garden from trees, between pillars or poles or even inside a garden gazebo.

Hammocks originated in South America. Natives, used vegetative fiber based nets hung between trees, probably to escape creepy crawly insects on ground.

Never suspend a hammock too high or too low. Ideally it should be at a height, a little less than the waist of person. People fear of sleeping in hammocks for fear of tipping. In fact, the hammock uniformly supports the body and aligns with it, avoiding any pressure point formation as in mattresses, which prompts us to turn in sleep.

Choose poles or grownup, strong and sturdy tree trunks or branches, to avoid crashes. Also if a hammock with heavy load hung on a young tree, it may result in cuts on trees trunks, marring its beauty, or even a collapse of tree/ bough. Boughs/ trunks with defective or dead wood may just give in without warning, spoiling your mood, if not injuring seriously.

Hammock needs special safety consideration, since a fall from a hammock while resting on it or during entry and exit could cause serious injury. Aged people, infants and young children are susceptible tipping. Never leave them unattended. Discourage jumping and other adventures in hammock.

Never be lenient to a damaged or snapped strand of rope or net or a puncture in fabric. You could seriously be compromising on safety. Also, use correct tight knots and coil the cord a few times around the tree trunk or branch or pole, before knotting. Friction in loops of cord will take much of the load on hammock, ensuring safety.

Don't plan hammock activity on doubtful weather days. Take a bug screen, sleeping pod etc., for safety and comfort as the situation warrants.

Like handling, maintenance also very important. Too much exposure of hammock to rain and sun will reduce its longevity. Improper washing and storage habits also reduce its life. Always store it in cool dry place, after washing and drying.