A trampoline is a device used for wellness, gymnastics, and fitness activities. It is made of dense mesh fabric stretched over a round frame. The material is attached with springs, allowing you to jump and bounce from above.
What’s The Recommended Age For Trampolines?
Trampoline jumping is not suitable for people of all ages. Here are the precautions for each age group.
Younger Children
Small children, including toddlers, should never use a trampoline. They have a higher risk of injury due to their small size.
Older Children
Children under 6 years and older can jump on a full-size trampoline. But they still need adult supervision, especially if they are under 10 years old.
Children under aged 5 to 9 are more likely to get fractures because their bones are still soft. Older children are more likely to get strains or sprains.
Teenagers and Adults
When used correctly, trampolines are safe for teens and adults. However, it is best to be careful, especially if you have a chronic medical condition or have recently been injured.
Trampolines can give you hours of fun. Kids love them, and they could probably jump all day if you let them. For some reason, jumping up and down never gets old. But trampolines are not necessarily the safest activity for children. The risk of injury (strains, sprains, fractures, broken bones, and head injuries) is so high that the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages young people from jumping on trampolines. But if you have a trampoline or are about to buy one, there are some safety tips you should follow to reduce your risk of injury.
How To Make Trampolines Safer For Kids
Before using the trampoline, children must undergo a medical examination for any medical conditions.
Your kids must undergo a medical examination by a qualified doctor to check if their bones are strong enough to support their weight while jumping.
1. Observe All Trampoline Jumpers
It is essential to keep an eye on everyone who uses the trampoline to ensure that all the trampoline jumpers are using it safely.
2. Give Permission To Only One Person on The Trampoline at a Time
Yes, children may think that playing on a trampoline and jumping together is fun, but many injuries occur when more than one person is jumping on a trampoline at the same time. People tend to bump into each other when there is more than one person on the trampoline. So, the basic rule of safety on a trampoline is one person at a time.
3. Keep Kids Under 6 Years Of Age Away From The Full-Size Trampoline
Kids under 6 years of age are at the most significant risk of injury. Trampolines are not suitable for this age group as they are not physically developed enough to control their jumps.
To prevent serious injury at such an early age, do not allow your younger ones to use the trampoline until he or she is not old enough. But if they want to jump on the trampoline, then buy them a mini-trampoline.
4. Adding Accessories
Adding accessories to the trampoline can make it safer. Cover the springs and edges of the trampoline with a pad to prevent kids from slipping or falling between the springs. The padding will also soften the edges of the trampoline and reduce the likelihood of injury from children falling. To prevent children from completely falling off the trampoline, you can install a safety net around the trampoline. However, make sure the net bars are well padded to avoid other injuries.
Placing the trampoline on the ground can also help reduce injury by reducing the distance from the trampoline to the ground. Special kits will help you complete the task yourself or hire a professional for this.
5. Don’t Let Children Under The Age Of Six To Jump On The Trampoline
If a child under the age of five or six is jumping, there is a high risk of injury because they’re light. Lightweight, small children, can be turned into projectiles on a trampoline. And when more than one person jumps, the smaller person usually gets more severe injuries in the event of an accident.
Children’s bones have not grown fully and are still developing, which puts them at high risk of injury. Their small, fragile bones cannot withstand the strain of repeated bouncing, which is difficult for a growing child’s body.
Make sure your kids don’t jump too high. Children always use the trampoline more often. Unfortunately, they can land incorrectly when they lose control while jumping.
To prevent this, always train them to control their jumps at all times and keep it low, especially if they are newbies. And when they get tired, they need a little rest before jumping again.
6. Don’t Let Children Do Stunts On Their Own
Yes, your child might like the next Olympic gymnast, but one of your trampoline safety rules shouldn’t be flips, somersaults, or other tricks. Your child will land too quickly when trying to turn around and injure their wrists, arms, neck, or head. Also don’t use the trampoline as a springboard for jumping on other things. Remember – there is no fun business.
7. Do Not Leave The Trampoline Ladder Up
Trampolines are what are called “attractive troubles” because they are dangerous but very irresistible. Swimming pools are another example. Trampolines are very tempting, however, and if a child accidentally finds them, they can start exploring. If the ladder is still in place, this child can easily climb, jump, and then fall and hurt themselves. If you do not take any action to secure the trampoline properly, you may be found liable.
However, do not leave a ladder or chair near the trampoline.
8. Avoid Using Drugs And Alcohol When Using The Trampoline With Children
The use of drugs or alcohol can affect your judgment. To keep your kids safe when using the trampoline, never try to combine alcohol with the trampoline.
In the past, many children were injured while jumping with adults who drank at summer garden parties.
9. Adults Should Watch Children As They Bounce Off The Trampoline
Kids are creative beings; they are little scientists who always want to experiment more with their ability to do something, especially in the absence of an adult.
As far as trampolines are concerned, they will check to see if they can make some of the moves they may have watched on YouTube, which could end up landing your child incorrectly, with their head or neck down, which could cause irreversible severe permanent injuries. They can also lose control and land on a trampoline.
When you attend as an adult, you will be able to watch your children jump on the trampoline and stop if they start making potentially dangerous movements.
10. Have a Safety Net
There must be a suitable safety net around the trampoline. This will catch anyone who might accidentally walk to the edge of the springboard.
When looking to buy a trampoline, think of the models with trampoline safety nets as part of the design, or buy them seperately.
A safety net on a trampoline is very important to prevent your children from hitting hard object components such as springs or the frame and keep them from falling off the trampoline, and preventing them from hitting the ground. Therefore, before jumping on the trampoline, please follow the safety rules on the trampoline and you need to install a safety net on the trampoline.
11. Cover All Hooks, Springs, and Metal Frames With a Protective Padding
Your kids can land on a steel frame, springs, or even hooks if not covered.
Therefore, it is necessary to install a suitable protective platform for the trampoline. It must be in good condition and properly positioned.
Therefore, when buying trampolines, only choose models with protective pads to cover the springs, hooks, and frames. And make sure the color of the cushions contrasts with the color of the frame and rug.
12. Teach Children To Always Land in The Center of The Trampoline
This is also very important advice because when children land in the trampoline center, their chance of falling is meager.
On the other hand, the likelihood of landing on a trampoline is high when children land on the edges of the trampoline, especially near the frames.
13. Do Not Place The Trampoline Near Trees, Posts, or Fences
When installing the trampoline, make sure there is a safety perimeter of at least 3 meters around the trampoline, and it is away from trees, fence posts, or walls.
You must place the trampoline on a firm, level surface to help all jumpers keep their balance. Don’t underestimate the force of gravity – if the trampoline is tilted, someone could crash. You should also make sure that there are no trees or other objects around the trampoline that might interfere with your jumping.
By installing the trampoline away from such structures, you will favor the children by making the environment safer for children.
14. Do Not Use The Trampoline When Wet
If there is water on the trampoline, it is likely very slippery. Wait for the trampoline to dry before letting anyone jump.
15. Always Remove The Jewelry And Sharp Objects From Pockets Before Jumping
Children sometimes forget to remove jewelry and other sharp objects before using the trampoline. Jewelry may injure them when it land in them.
To avoid such injuries, they must remove all jewelry and anything in their pockets, as well as their hat, before jumping on the trampoline.
16. Check For Holes
Before jumping on a trampoline, you should check the trampoline mats for holes and tears.
Prolonged use of the trampoline can lead to tears. If not checked frequently, this can lead to severe accidents.
You can repair the holes yourself using the patch kit that comes with the trampoline.
This will save you time and money. And your life and well-being.
17. Avoid Wearing Clothes With Drawstrings
Most kids that are especially worn for boys have drawstrings. Such clothing is potentially dangerous when jumping on a trampoline because the strings might get tied to the safety poles and can cause an uncomfortable landing for the child. Such a landing can lead to injuries.
To prevent such injuries, your child should wear cordless clothing while jumping on the trampoline.
18. Check The Trampoline For Problems Before Each Use
Together with the mat, the springs of the trampoline create the necessary tension, allowing you to bounce when jumping. For your kids to jump high, the spring must be tight enough.
Make sure all springs are correctly locked. The spring must be intact and firmly attached at both ends. Hanging springs can cause unnecessary injury in the event of an accident. If some of the springs wear out, stretch or corrode, you should take a quality replacement and repair it accordingly.
Trampolines are fun, but they can also be dangerous. If you own a trampoline or plan to use it, make the trampoline’s safety a priority. Make sure you keep an eye on all trampoline users, only allow one jumper at a time, and make sure you have the proper padding and netting.
Final Thoughts
Trampolines are great for fun and even better for fitness, exercise, and workout.
Unfortunately, falling off a trampoline can lead to injury, paralysis, and even death.
Many of these injuries are avoidable. That’s why it’s so important to follow these 18 simple safety tips to ensure that jumping on the trampoline is always a safe and enjoyable experience for your kids.