Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We had a trampoline for four years when our kids were younger. Yes, everyone in the neighborhood wanted to use it. You need to be out there supervising, or at least looking through the window. It was a lot of fun for everyone (including adults) but could probably be very dangerous when improperly used. And check your homeowner's policy.
im with Huckleberry on this one...
I coached gymnastics for 20yrs. And have known of more injuries (and worse injuries) from kids on home trampolines in a 3yr span than in the 20+years put together in gymnastics.
Too many people think they can just purchase one, then let the kiddos bounce around as they please. Doesn't work so great sometimes...
*Toddlers shouln't be on them, it can easily cause whiplash because their heads are to heavy for their necks in porpotians when you add that unstable bounce.
*kids try to do flips....and land on necks, with arms behind, or with feet turned incorrectly, and with the way the tramp beds give, then come back, its very easy to snap ligiments/tendons
*when people put more than one person at a time on. this is truly one of the dumbest things to do. Right here is where about 1/2 of the injuries happen. The bounce becomes unpredictable in an instant and you can either throw 2 into each other, or get whats known as a 'double bounce" and totally launch someone. Which sounds great fun...til the landing.
*Nets are great, til you go into one headfirst and there goes your neck. ....or when fingers get caught in them, they usually snap and break in some pretty nasty ways.
*you can also go OVER the net. (especially if 2 people are bouncing) I know a little girl who did. You woulnd think 2 8yr old girls could bounce one totallly over a net would ya? Neither did her mom. Fortuantly, after being lifeflighted to the hospital, staying there for several weeks, then a couple short years of therapy, she can walk and run again. Lucky kiddo.
*people can and will sue you if their kids get hurt on trampolines. Even if used w/o permission. And most homeowners insurances will skyrocket. Or drop you if you put in a trampoline.
I hate home trampolines. So many needless injuries and all.
I agree they can be a danger, but so can bicycles, skooters, and playing any common sport. Just have to teach about safety and regulate the time they play on it.
I know you asked this question in the parenting forum but you left me speechless. Your husband just got laid off and you want to spend $300 on a toy. Haven't you heard that it takes months now to get another job?. Take your kids to the park, set the sprinklers in the back yard, etc..
Yes he did get laid off, but I need to entertain them somehow and besides, its their birthday money we are using to get it...I wasn't asking for permission to spend money!
I agree with the posters above who advise caution. Treat it like a pool. They can be lots of fun, but carelessness and roughhousing can mean someone can be seriously hurt.
1. Friends cannot jump without their parents' consent.
2. Follow the basic safety rules (no flipping, no double jumps, etc.) or no trampoline.
3. Little kids require adult supervision.
We had a neighbor with one of the old style "let God sort'em out" trampolines. No enclosure, no spring covers, no pads on the bars. Just good, clean, bone-shattering, testicle-splitting danger. Today's trampolines seem far safer than the old days, which is somewhat disappointing to a certain degree. A good portion of youth should be training and experience in risk-assessment and handling danger and emergencies. At the same time, minimizing the lethality of those dangers is a good thing. If my kids wanted one, I would probably get it. I see a lot of value in the potential skills and fun they will develop from it.
We grew up with a trampoline. It was the funnest thing and I absolutely loved it! Plus, if we weren't jumping at my house then we were jumping over at a friends, it seemed everyone had trampolines! However, i'm not gonna lie there were also injuries that always occured (broken arm, broken ankle, flying off the edges). The question is, would you rather them get hurt at your house, or at their friends house? It is a great experience and something I am glad I didn't miss out on growing up.
I'm definitely getting the enclosure with it...I wouldn't have it any other way. I will also keep on top of them about rough housing...that makes me nervous even off of a trampoline. They will drive me nuts if I don't get something to tire them out!
They are inherently dangerous and no amount of monitoring and instruction
"in safe use" will really help mitigate that fact.
The netting has not really been found to be helpful either...
Most injuries happen on the diaphragm of the trampoline itself, typically the "jumper" is coming down when the diaphragm is coming up which is equivalent to hitting concrete.
I have seen so many senseless injuries from these things I won't let my kids near them.
For those who keep saying "well bikes, scooters, skateboards etc are all dangerous too...."
Ask yourself, "Why is it that many homeowners policies will not cover you if you have a trampoline, and may in fact nullify your coverage?"
They won't do that if you have bikes in the garage...
Another very telling sign, I'm an Orthopaedic PA, ask any Orthopaedic Surgeon, ER doc, ER nurse, paramedic, Neurologist, Neurosurgeon etc if THEY would ever own a trampoline.....there is a very good reason why I am betting you will get nearly 100% condemnation of these "toys"
I'm with Tiffela and BlueDevilz. I don't think it's a good idea. Both of my parents have worked in Emergency Departments at one time or another, and they say absolutely no way! It's not worth the risk. I won't even let my young kids use the bouncy houses at the local fair. Instead, we spring for the harnessed big jumps, which are much safer and even more exciting for them.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.