This article is from the Spanking FAQ, by Redman@cris.com (C-Red) with numerous contributions by others.
It is the responsibility of both parties to play safely. Just as the
spanker is responsible for respecting limits, the spankee is responsible
for communicating limits. While the spankee may be playing a submissive
role in the scene, he or she still has a real- life responsibility to
assure safe play.
A common mistake of beginning spankers is to play at too fast a pace which
may not allow the spankee enough time to warm up or communicate a problem.
At least at first, spankers should take a slow, deliberate pace.
The spanker should avoid spanking near or above the tail-bone. The swats
should be focused on the fleshy portions of the cheeks.
Extra caution should be taken when using instruments because of the
increased sensation they can administer and because they can cause actual
physical harm if misused. Heavy wooden paddles probably require the most
caution, especially when the spankee is bent well over.
Assuming you have a trustworthy partner, you can minimize your risk of
physical harm by playing within your limits.
 
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