Now that spring is here, neighborhoods are starting to come back to life. More people are walking, kids are riding their bikes and scooters, and some have even started yard work.
Another sign that spring has arrived is neighborhood kids playing on trampolines. Trampolines have become a popular addition to many back yards. Trampoline parks are also popping up in larger cities. While they’re fun and provide our kids with exercise, they can be dangerous if safety guidelines aren’t followed.
Between 2002 and 2011, more than one million people visited emergency departments for injuries sustained while using trampolines. These visits totaled $1 billion in expenses.
On the flip side, there are benefits of trampolines.
Trampolines:
Improve your balance
Firm and tone muscles
Offer a low impact exercise
Provide a great cardiovascular workout
Get kids off video game systems, computers, and smartphones
If you have a trampoline or are considering one for your kids, here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Talk to your insurance agent. Before spending any money on a trampoline, talk to your independent insurance agent. They can tell you if your current homeowner’s policy provides coverage for it.
2. Avoid letting young kids use it. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends limiting access to kids age six and under. Remove ladders and other things around the trampoline that would allow them to get on it by themselves.
3. Adult supervision. No matter how old your kids are, they always need adult supervision. Age and maturity of your child may determine how much supervision is necessary. Always be aware of what’s happening on your property, especially if you have a swing set, trampoline, or swimming pool. Occasional glances can ensure rules are being followed and kids are safe.
4. Establish written rules. My neighbor has a trampoline. Before my daughters could use it, they had to agree to the written rules. Written rules:
Limit the number of kids on the trampoline
Prohibit food or drink
Enforce no rough housing
Enforce no aerobatics or risky tricks (i.e., somersaults, backflips).
5. Talk to other parents. If neighborhood kids are using your trampoline, talk to their parents to make sure it’s okay with them.
6. Attach safety devices. Purchase and attach quality padding to the frame and springs of the trampoline and use quality netting around the perimeter to help prevent kids from falling off. Avoid buying cheap protective gear.
7. Place it on a flat clear surface. When setting up your trampoline, make sure it’s on a flat surface away from trees, fences, swing sets, swimming pools, etc.Place it on sand or bark chips that can provide some cushioning. Never place it on a concrete surface.
8. Periodic inspections are necessary. Periodically inspect the trampoline looking for tears, broken springs, loose bolts, and worn safety pads and netting. The different weather patterns in the Midwest can cause the equipment to deteriorate.
Additional Resources
Trampoline Safety
Installing safety net on your trampoline
Set up trampoline enclosure
Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them; please share them in the box below.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/29/trampoline-injuries-fractures-broken-bones_n_5227768.html
https://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/137868/085.pdf
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