Trampolines are getting more popular than ever. Throughout the years, they only have not become a party staple but a day to day source of fun too, both for kids and adults. Kids love them and sure enough, you can’t get your kids off of it once they start jumping and bouncing in there. But, how safe are there trampolines for your child?

Safety is a top priority most especially when it comes to your children. It should never be compromised as one wrong move and they could end up hurt or worst, dead. As a mom, you would probably do everything in your power to protect your child from getting hurt but, are you really doing it right when you have decided to purchase that trampoline and allow your kid to play in there? Let’s find out.

Are trampolines safe for toddlers and kids?

Sure, your kids are having a good time playing with trampolines but sad to say, they are not exactly safe for your children. Trampoline jumping is very risky and can result in fractures and sprains either in the legs or arms. They could also cause serious neck or head injuries. 

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons do not encourage the use of trampolines most especially for home use for children whose age is lower than six. This is because children younger than six accumulate around 22 to 37 recent of trampoline-related injuries that have been brought to the emergency departments for evaluation. 

Actually, in the year 2004, trampoline-related injuries have declined but when these injuries happen, they are severe in most cases. Some of the most common trampoline-related injuries include sprained ankle, dislocation, and broken bone.

How Trampoline Injuries Happen

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the three most common causes of trampoline-related injuries include:

1. Falls from the trampoline

Trampolines have safety nets but these safety nets do not provide 100 percent to your children from falling. So if you think that safety nets solve this problem then most probably, you have to think again. This is most especially true when safety nets are not properly installed or it could be that the kids have climbed it. These safety nets can wear out easily and their warranties are usually shorter than the other parts of the trampoline.

2. Multiple simultaneous users 

The number of children using trampolines all at once can cause injuries too. Besides, three out of four trampolines related injuries are due to multiple people using the trampoline at the same time. The riskiest part is to allow heavy or older children and little kids to play all at once. In such cases, the smaller children are at a greater risk of getting hurt either by falling off of the trampoline or the bigger or heavier children could accidentally fall into them. 

3. Impact with frames and springs 

The springs and frames of trampolines have paddings but these paddings are not enough to prevent any injury from happening. Just like the nets of the trampoline, the padding could easily get worn out too which in result, could be the cause of the accident.

The Solution 

Clearly, trampoline injuries have risk factors. Despite the introduction of safety nets into trampolines, the safety of children is still questionable. This could either be because the safety nets are not properly assembled or they are not even used at all. Whatever the reason is, AAP warns the public most especially the parents that safety nets only give a “false sense of security”.

Children under five have the highest chance of suffering trampoline-related injuries since they are generally lighter and they can not control their landings well yet. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), children who are six years old or younger should not be allowed to play in trampolines that have a diameter of more than 10 feet or are less than 20 feet high. 

The thing is, saying no to your child to play on the trampoline is very hard, thus two out of three trampoline-related injuries are due to multiple users. The smallest or lightest person in the trampoline has the highest chance of getting else than anybody else. To be safer, only one child should be allowed to play at once. 

Children under five have the highest chance of suffering trampoline-related injuries since they are generally lighter and they can not control their landings well yet. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), children who are six years old or younger should not be allowed to play in trampolines that have a diameter of more than 10 feet or are less than 20 feet high. 

The thing is, saying no to your child to play on the trampoline is very hard, thus two out of three trampoline-related injuries are due to multiple users. The smallest or lightest person in the trampoline has the highest chance of getting else than anybody else. To be safer, only one child should be allowed to play at once. 

Damage to the spinal cord in the neck due to over bending or failed somersaults which could lead to paralysis and head injuries from falling are some of the most serious trampoline-related injuries. Children should never ever be allowed to flip or do somersaults not unless they are trained or coached properly.

Children should be supervised every time they play on the trampoline. There is no such thing as adult supervision. They should jump in the middle of the trampoline and not on and off of it. Furthermore, the trampoline should be properly positioned too. A properly positioned trampoline is not placed on a hard surface in as much as it is not located near fences or trees.

How to Keep Trampolines Safe for Kids 

1. Do not install the trampoline on hard surfaces or near poles, trees, or fences.  

The place where you are going to install the trampoline has a significant role in ensuring the safety of your child. When installing the trampoline, make sure that you a lot around 3 meters around it as a safety perimeter. That 3 meters safety perimeter should be free from trees, walls, or fences. 

There is a tendency that the children who will play in the trampoline might jump too high and end up falling off of it.  And, when there are trees, poles, or walls around it, the fatality of the injury might increase. 

By installing the trampoline away from trees, poles, and fences, you are ensuring that you are giving your child a safer environment where he or she can play around.

2. Check if the springs are positioned right and the bolts are tightened well. 

The springs of the trampoline alongside the mat is the one responsible for creating the proper that is needed in order for your child to bounce. This means that the spring should be tight enough in order for your child to bounce high.

Once you have set up the trampoline, double-check if the springs are positioned right and tight in their respective positions. The springs should be securely attached and intact both ends. Make sure that there is no hanging spring which may add unnecessary damage in case of an accident. 

Once there are worn out springs that have corroded or have become overstretched, replace them as soon as you can and do not allow your child to play in the trampoline too until you have changed it already.

3. Cover the springs, frame, and hooks with safety pads.

Chances are, your child might land on the springs, steel frame, or hooks which might be dangerous when such things are left uncovered. This makes installing safety pads on the trampoline a necessity. When installing safety pads, make sure that you place them properly and the safety pads that you will use are in good condition. 

Better yet, only purchase a trampoline that already has safety pads installed in it. In addition, also make sure that the color of the mats and frame is in contrast with the color of the safety pads in order for you and your child to figure out which areas should they at least avoid.

4. Enclose the trampoline with high-quality trampoline safety nets.

Trampoline safety nets are very important to prevent your child from hitting the hard components of the trampoline such as the spring and frame. In addition, these safety nets also prevent your child from falling off of the trampoline and hitting the hard cold ground. 

Some trampolines come with safety nets when you purchase them. Others require you to purchase it separately. When purchasing trampoline safety nets, make sure that the safety net is durable or won’t easily tear off even with just a simple impact. 

Before allowing your child to play and have fun on the trampoline, be sure that you have properly installed the safety nets as additional protection to your child against possible injuries.

5. Make sure that your child doesn’t jump too high.

As excited as they are, your child might jump too high which might make them lose control and end up landing the wrong way. 

In order to avoid such a thing from happening, train your child not to jump to high most especially when they are just new to it. Tell your child to control his jump in order to land properly. 

And when your child is tired, tell them to rest for a little while before jumping again. And most probably, do not allow your child to jump continuously as he will not just get tired easily, but he might also lose his control and end up getting injured.

6. Do not allow your child to perform any stunt on the trampoline. 

Your child might have watched videos of other children performing stunts while on the trampoline and might want to do it too. But really, you should never ever allow your child to perform such stunts. The children in the videos are properly trained, your child isn’t. 

Doing stunts, such as somersaults, increased the possibility of a head and neck injury which are known to be the most dangerous, if not deadly, trampoline-related injuries. Your child does not have enough experience yet in performing such moves and he might land the wrong way.

If your child really wants to perform stunts, the best thing that you could do is to enroll him to a trampoline class in order to learn the basics as well as the advanced skills. If he hasn’t still had the professional help that he needs when doing such stunts, then do not allow him just yet to do so.

7. Train your child to get on and off the trampoline using the trampoline ladder.

If not taught and trained well, there is a tendency that your child might just jump on and off the trampoline which is actually very dangerous. One wrong move and your child might be involved in an accident. 

Never allow your child to just jump on and off the trampoline. Instead, train him to use the ladder when getting on and off of it. If he is not that comfortable or if he is afraid of using the ladder, assist him until he can do it himself. 

The ladder of the trampoline is installed for a reason so carefully explain to your child the importance of using it. By doing so, you are not just giving your child a safer environment but you are educating him to follow safety rules as well.

8. Make sure that the surface of the jumping mat is free from moisture. 

When the jumping mat is wet, then it becomes slippery which in result, might cause your child to slip every now and then. A slippery jumping mat might also lead to the wrong landing and might result in unnecessary injuries. To avoid any of these unlikely things from happening, always make sure that the jumping may is dry before allowing your child to jump in there. 

When it is snowing, the safest thing to do is to pack down the trampoline to avoid your child from speaking in there without your knowledge. In addition, you also have to make sure that the jumping mat is free from holes. In case that the jumping mat has worn out already, replace it with an appropriate one before allowing your child to play in there again.

9. Install the trampoline on a leveled ground.

If the trampoline is not installed on a well-leveled ground, your child might easily fall off and injure himself. Ideally, you should place your trampoline on an energy-absorbing ground. Such grounds include bark wood chip, grass, sand, and spring lawn. If a cushioning material is available, then it is even better. 

Never ever put your trampoline in an elevated or sloped place. This doubles the risk of an accident. This is because a trampoline can’t stay put in an elevated or sloped place. And if ever your child falls off the damage would be more fatal since the ground is higher. 

Furthermore, you can also make use of ground safety pads to protect your child most especially when he unintentionally falls off of the trampoline.

10. The area under the jumping mat should not be covered with the safety net.

For safety purposes, you should always leave uncovered the area under the jumping mat. When left covered, seeing any object below the trampoline would be difficult. Your child might even leave their toys most especially the sharp ones below the trampoline which imposes risk not just to your child but to everyone who will use it. 

It is therefore important that you check the underneath of the trampoline too for any hidden objects. Your child may land in it which is actually dangerous. 

To be safer, always make sure that the safety net does not cover the underneath of the trampoline most especially under the jumping mat.

11. Children under 6 years old should be kept off the full-size trampoline.

As mentioned above, children under six years old are most prone to trampoline-related injuries due to their lack of coordination to control their counting and due to their lightness. It is not advised that they play there at such a young age. 

To prevent any trampoline-related accident from happening at their age, it is better not to allow them to use the trampoline at all until he or she is old enough to control his bouncing. 

But if your child really wants to play on the trampoline and you can’t resist his or her pleas, your best option is to buy a mini trampoline where your child could play. Smaller trampolines are relatively safer for younger or smaller children.

12. Keep your children supervised at all times. 

With all the risk that awaits your child with just one move, staying close to him and keeping an eye on him is very important. Doing so does not just prevent any accident from happening but this also enables you to attend to the needs of your child right at the very moment. 

If possible, do not allow your child, most especially when he is still young, to play unsupervised on the trampoline as no one would say no to him when he tries to do dangerous things in as much as no one could be of help in case an accident happens. 

If you plan to play with him on the trampoline, make sure that you are not under the spirit of alcohol. You might end up hurting your child instead of having fun with him. Remember, trampoline and alcohol is never a good combination most especially when your child is around.

13. Wear appropriate clothing.

It may seem irrelevant, but wearing the appropriate clothing has something to do with the safety of your child while playing on the trampoline.

Do not allow your child to play on the trampoline when he is wearing clothes with drawstrings. Clothes with drawstrings are very dangerous since the strings might get tied to the safety netting poles which in turn, may make your child land the wrong way which could lead to injuries. 

Your child must at least wear clothes that make him feel comfortable and safe. The only thing that you should keep in mind is to not dress your child clothes with drawstrings when trampolining.

14. Allow only one child to play on the trampoline at the same time.

Most of the trampoline-related injuries that happen are due to multiple persons using the trampoline at the same time. The idea of children playing all at once may sound fun but is actually very dangerous. 

Do not allow your child to play with someone else on the trampoline. They might bounce against each other and both end up getting hurt. There is a high chance that they might suffer from broken bones if they land the wrong way or land against each other. In cases like this, the child who is lighter is posed to greater damages.

15. Use the equipment correctly. 

Everything that comes with your trampoline has its purpose. If the trampoline you bought has a ladder, then use it. Let your child know the use of the ladder at that. Correctly using the equipment that comes with the trampoline is as important as correctly using the trampoline itself. 

There is no doubt that your child will have a lot of fun that he might forget about his safety but do not forget to remind him of the things that he or he should not do. Always remind him that doing these things might put his life at risk.

Conclusion:

The key to the safety of your child when using a trampoline is safety educational and adult supervision. You and your child should both feel comfortable and that the trampoline is stable and assembled well. 

Having a trampoline at home is a good thing as long as you follow all the safety measures. With it, your child could have fun and you can exercise too. Just don’t forget to compromise the safety of your child with anything else.

FAQ On Trampolines and Trampoline Safety

Which trampoline is the safest to use?

So far, the safest trampoline to use most especially for kids is the trampoline that uses flexible and composite rods instead of the traditional springs. These rods are almost impossible to see while using the trampoline. 

Spring free trampolines also come with a hidden frame which makes it impossible for you or your child to hit yourself while having fun. Also, there are trampolines that can prevent falls and cushions jumpers with their mat technology and net enclosures. Watch out for such trampolines on the market. 

Are trampolines covered by homeowners’ insurance?

No. Insurance companies are not big fans of trampolines due to how frequent trampoline-related injuries happen. That is one of the very reasons why we have decided to make a trampoline safety guide for you – to give you tips and tricks to make sure that you and your child are safe when using the trampoline. 

Unfortunately, having a trampoline at home could even increase the insurance that you are paying every month. If you want to know more about this thing, the best thing that you can do is talk to your insurance agent to find out. Sure enough, your insurance agent can give you the answers you are looking for. 

Are trampolines safe to use when exercising?

Absolutely, trampolines are one of the best ways to exercise. Trampolines are a great way to exercise your legs and could make you sweat a lot in just a few minutes. In fact, there are already mini trampolines that are available which you can set up inside your house. 

Based on the data of The Fit Day, an hour of using the trampoline could burn up to 143 calories. It effectively brings more calories than walking for an hour. 

It can be then concluded that an hour or so spent on the trampoline is a great way to burn out the extra fats in your body. It’s a kind of exercise that won’t stress you out but will make you enjoy and have fun instead.

What age are trampolines safe for?

Generally speaking, there is no such specific age when it comes to trampoline safety but children under six should not be allowed to play in the trampoline most especially without adult supervision. If you will allow your small or young child in the trampoline, make sure that he is playing alone and that you have checked everything that needs to be checked to ensure your child’s safety. 

How many people should jump at the same time?

Ideally, only one person should jump in the trampoline at the same time to ensure safety most especially when it is a kid who plays in there. The maximum person that should jump in the trampoline all at once is two. The child that will play on the trampoline should be properly briefed with the different safety measures. Adult supervision is also a necessity. 

On the other hand, adults that are using the trampoline should not be reckless most especially when you are not the only one using the trampoline at the same time. More so, if you are with a child. 

Which shape of the trampoline is the safest?

Generally, the safest shape of the trampoline is the one that is equipped with safety nets. The shape of the trampoline has little or no effect at all when it comes to the safety of the person who will use the trampoline. 

What matters is that the trampoline has all the safety equipment needed in as much as the person who will use it is well educated and is trained well.

Can you jump on a wet trampoline?

No, jumping on a wet trampoline is not safe at all. It sounds troublesome. Once the trampoline is safe, the safety pad will be wet as well which will make it of no use. A wet trampoline also means that the jumping mat will become slippery too which could make you fall or land the wrong way. 

In short, jumping on a wet trampoline is not advised at all due to safety reasons. Jumping on a wet trampoline is life volunteering yourself to be injured. Moreover, you should not allow your child to play on a wet trampoline to avoid any untoward accident from happening.

Does the safety net go inside the springs or outside the springs?

Whether the springs will go inside or outside depends on the trampoline. Other trampolines have their springs inside while others have it outside. 

This makes reading safety instructions a must most especially when assembling or installing the trampoline. Most trampolines come with a safety guide booklet. If you are not given one when purchasing, then you could ask if an online copy is available. Sometimes, these safety guide booklets have photos to show the right way of doing things, so take time to exactly figure out how you should assemble the trampoline to be safe for everyone to use. 

Are trampolines with nets safe?

Trampoline with nets is much safer than the ones that don’t have nets on it. These safety nets lessen the possibility of people calling out of the trampoline. It helps people stay inside the trampoline. But if not properly installed, the safety net could be the cause of an accident.

What trampoline injuries are possible?

There are a lot of injuries that you can get due to trampolines. You can even die because of it most especially when you broke safety rules and you are not being careful. 

Some of the injuries you can get range from bruises to scrapes, cuts, sprains, broken bones, sprains, head injury, concussions, and so much more. With such possibilities, it is very important that the trampoline is used properly and follow safety rules at all times.