What if someone else's DC is hurt on our garden climbing stuff / trampoline?

[Dozer]

DH is keen to get a big climbing frame / swing-set / slide thing and maybe a trampoline for the garden. Our DC are 4 and 2. At the moment when children visit our house a parent comes too, but obviously as they get older DC will be dropped off and we (mainly me, I work PT) will supervise.

My worry is that a child in our care could get hurt on this kind of equipment. I wouldn't be able to supervise the whole time due to MNetting sorting out younger DC, getting snacks from the house etc.

Know that all kind of accidents happen in the home / garden, but does having play equipment like this increase the risks (practically and legally)? AIBU to worry about it / not want to get this stuff? (am generally a risk-averse, over-anxious type).

Everyone I know has a trampoline, swing set etc, just do it..

Kids can be injured anytime anywhere, we know that with our dd, badly injured on a school trip,, just go for it and Let your kids enjoy themselves.

Provided it isnt faulty and you know it is, then legally you are fine :)

I would ask the parents if it is ok for their DC to go on it as well.

As long as the equipment is being used in the right way, it is in good order and the children are old enough you should be fine.

But it is the responsibility of the houseowner to ensure people in their homes are safe so, if one of them were to have an accident theoretically you could be sued by the parents. The duty of care is on you.

Actually you aren't entirely unreasonable. I know an orthopaedic surgeon who won't have a trampoline because of the injuries she sees that happen when kids pile on there en masse.
The other stuff = more skinned knees than broken bones.

Your house insurance should cover it.

FWIW I dont know anyone who has a trampoline

Dozer they could have accident going to the park.

go for it these are pretty cheap for what you get if you have a costco near you

www.climbingframeinstaller.co.uk/2011/04/costco-rainbow-wooden-playset/

I think that as long as you take reasonable precautions when having children round then you won't have any problems. We have a trampoline and kids are only allowed on one at a time - as per instructions. If a child gets injured but you have been acting within the guidelines then it's not a legal issue.

ring your insurers and ask - but that doesn't really deal with the issue that you just don't want anything bad happening on your watch.

Trampolines always come with strict instructions that only one child at a time is allowed, but you always see several kids using them.

Swing set and slide doesn't sound too risky. But kids outgrow those things really quickly. Unless you're miles from a decent playground I wouldnt bother.

is this a sign of the times when we are scared of having children over incase we get sued.

thanks v much everyone.

"you just don't want anything bad happening on your watch". I guess that's how I feel, especially since the DC are small, I would feel like I had to helicopter.

Grimma, I agree re them outgrowing stuff, and there're good parks nearish.

Mchappy, it's not so much any risk of being sued. re the park, I would also think twice before taking other people's 4 or 5yo DC to the park with my two, can barely manage my own, the kamikaze / lemming 2yo is a handful and the 4yo likes heights!

Maybe should see if can interest DH in a big shed for his use instead!

Get a shed which your DH can have in a few years time but for now make it into the biggest, bestest playhouse ever - a real 'den'.

And/or a tent - they can have loads of fun with a cheap popup tent - a 'real' one, ~£20 from supermarkets not a soon-outgrown, naff playtent.

These sorts of things are safer and not such one-trick ponies as the swing/slide/tramp

My child fractured his leg on a friends' trampoline. The only issue I had with it was that she was a nurse and told me he was only crying to get my attention

I am quite happy for him to go on trampolines / climbing frames etc still - accidents happen and it was nobody's fault.

I'm happy for my DD to go on tramps if they are being used sensibly. Accidents may still happen, but much less likely than when they are misused

The other thing that strikes me about them is that a lot just sit there taking up a huge space most of the time - they typically don't get used consistently and just sit there gathering cobwebs.

At that age, DD had a bouncy castle - safer, lots of fun but because it wasn't up all the time it had novelty value every time it did come out.

I know someone whose child broke their leg on a trampoline the day before they were due to go on holiday.

holiday cancelled (claimed on their insurance) and child in plaster for 6 weeks. hideous childcare implications.

ring your household insurance co and check you are covered.