Trampolining is a great exercise and activity that kids can't get enough of, encouraging them to get outside. No matter how fun trampolining can be, it's common for injuries and accidents to occur when not being careful or adhering to safety rules. We've put together a list of things to consider when playing on a trampoline to reduce the risk of injury.
Children under six should never use a trampoline. Smaller children have a higher risk of breaking a bone as their bones are still soft; plus, it's harder for children under six to control and regulate their bouncing. You should always supervise your child when using a trampoline - whilst this won't completely stop accidents, they're less likely to occur, and you can be on hand to help if your child is injured.
When setting up your trampoline, ensure it's on level, even ground and placed on a soft surface such as grass. Never set your trampoline on hard surfaces such as concrete, and make sure you've installed it away from structures such as fences and trees, and that the underneath is clear. Cover the trampoline frame, springs, and hooks with safety pads (most trampolines will include this), and put up a safety net.
This might be a rule your child will want to rebel against as part of the fun is bouncing together, but only one child should be jumping on the trampoline at any one time. Most accidents happen when multiple people are on simultaneously, including bumped heads, finger injuries, or tripping over. Playing one at a time on a rotation gives all children an equal chance to play, reducing the possibility of injury.
Ensure you or your child have removed shoes, socks, jewellery, and hats. Shoes and socks can cause slippage, whilst hats can fly off and become an obstruction, or jewellery can be tangled around themselves or the springs. Even stud earrings should be removed to prevent the jewellery from embedding in the skin. Try and wear athletic clothing that's unlikely to snag, be trodden on, or be tangled around you, so you're less likely to trip. If you have long hair, tie it back.
Always jump in the centre of the trampoline so your child's delicate toes stay as far away from the springs as possible. They should also avoid jumping off the trampoline and attempting to do tricks such as flips unless they've been appropriately trained to do this safely. Jumping too high can also make them lose control as their centre of gravity shifts, so if you can, make sure kids jump at an appropriate height.
Children can easily get attached to specific toys, especially soft toys, but bringing another toy onto the trampoline isn't the best idea. It can prevent your child from using their arms to balance themselves properly, and dropped toys pose a tripping hazard.
Before playing, ensure that the trampoline surface is completely dry to avoid slipping and clear of debris such as leaves. Again, water and debris are slip hazards and can easily make you lose your balance. You should also clean your trampoline to avoid mould and algae.
When no one is playing on the trampoline, remove the ladder to prevent younger children from crawling onto it unsupervised. When wet, windy, and wintery weather is approaching, it's best to remove the trampoline and put it into storage. Wind and rain could damage the trampoline or its safety net, making it more dangerous to play on next time around.
We hope you take these safety measurements into account with your trampoline at home and have fun playing! If you want to buy a trampoline for your garden, you can browse our selection of Trampolines & Accessories.
