Before you hit the playground this weekend, here are some essential rules to drill into your kids before they get on a swing. (Note to parents: For children under four years of age, full-bucket style seats are the only safe swings.)

• Hold on with both hands.

• Sit in the center of the swing.
• Never stand or kneel on a swing.
• Don’t swing on your stomach.
• Don’t play with the chains; they can pinch fingers.
• Stop the swing before getting off.
• Tell the person pushing when you want to get off the swing.
• Don’t push other children in the swing.
• Let only adults push you.
• Only one child is allowed on a swing at a time.
• Don’t play with the swing when someone else is on it or when it is empty.

For more baby and child safety advice, see our Guide to Childproofing & Safety, as well as the latest edition of Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, in our bookstore.