to be annoyed that my friend has bought a trampoline without an enclosure?

[tinkywinkysgirl]

and cost isn't an issue, before you ask.

I deliberately did not buy the enclosure. My dds friend fell off her trampoline, into the enclosure, which then fell over and she ended up breaking her arm. My dcs have both used the trampoline without the net and are perfectly fine. It teaches them balance and co-ordination instead of flinging themselves around like loonies....

YABU. It's up to her what she buys. We've had one without an enclosure for 6 years the only one who's fallen off is me who decided to get all Olga Korbett after too much wine

YABU. Those enclosures look dangerous to me. Seems like an excuse to put the trampoline on paving etc.

Does it bother you because you children might use it?...I don't really see the issue..it's her business..now if it was on concrete....I would be worried

My sister bought a trampoline a couple of years ago with the net and eventually removed it because her kids chucked themselves recklessly around it and a couple of (potentially severe) accidents occured. She has deliberately removed the net only one large or two small children are allowed at a time (she has 7 from 7-16) and no accidents occur.

QED

you do need to supervise the use of trampolines if your children are below 7 anyway - my 2 are 3 and 5 and there was always an older child or adult around to enforce the rules.

big mouth, similar story here.
Ours had a safety enclosure till it blew away in a gale.

CHildren (and teenagers) WERE MUCH MORE reckless when the net was present and we have had no incidents whatsoever in the 2 net free years.

Also they use it FAR more now it has no net

I must admit, I felt uneasy when my dc went to play on someone's open trampoline. Kids soon forget about the 'only one' rule when there's a crowd and, anyway, it's much more fun when more go on.

I symathise. I wouldn't be able to relax either.

although readin gother posts, seems that it;s better without a net. I suppose being on grass is the most important thing.

I am usually not around when my kidsa re on big trampolines so I don't get worried

I wouldn't have an enclosure. The accidents generally aren't people falling off the trampoline - it's people doing daft things ON it - liek lots of people on at once, doing flips and somersaults that they really don't know how to do. I know of 5 broken bones from trampolining accidents - not one caused by falling off it.

I think anyone who buys a trampoline with or without enclosure is bonkers - but I am in the minority!

I would try to avoid going to someone's house if there were a trampoline there, so I can see why the OP is bothered by this. I let my children slide downstairs in a Bilibo, climb up cliffs/trees, sledge at top speed, fall off bikes and so on, so I'm not a complete safety freak - but I still think that trampolines are a crazy idea.

I wouldn't have one without an enclosure but I think that a net can give a false sense of security and once you get a few excited DCs, keen to show off, you need adult supervision-or sensible DCs with strict rules about the number of DCs on it at one time, little ones not being on with large ones etc.

YABU to be annoyed at your friend - her decision - but as to enclosure or not I think it really depends on the age of the kids. If you aren't happy about your kids being on a trampoline without one you need to deal with that.

We're about to buy a 16" trampoline without an enclosure - my 16 year old doesn't want an enclosure and I don't think he needs one. My younger kids know the "one at a time rule", the most dangerous situation I've seen is a friend with an enclosure whose 6 year old climbs it and crashes down. I think he should be supervised but ultimately it's not my problem, I just make sure my 6 year old doesn't go on the trampoline with him and tell her exactly why.

yabu - tbh I don't feel you should really relax when your dc are at someoneelse's house. there are hazards everywhere if you take time to look but at least you know of this one. Trampolines should be supervised, net or not .

agree with LIZ that kids need supervising, net or not, on trampolines. The nets are simply there to stop them falling off, not to be touched otherwise - DS was told (many times and very firmly) that the net is not to be used to bounce into or off, so he doesn't do it and neither do his friends. I think in that scenario nets will clearly make things alot safer - but you have to have the rules.

tbh, i can't really believe that they are safer without nets, especially for preschoolers.

i'm not keen generally. i think if they're placed next to a fence they can really impose on your neighbours privacy, and its really irritating seeing kids heads bobbing in and out of view.

although, as a true hypocrite, I love being on them

I played on garden trampolines about 20+ years ago, none of them had nets then! The cousins and friends that the trampolines belonged too are all alive and well today!

I think there was the odd accident, but usually teenagers being stupid and landing on each other which a net won?t stop. Perhaps there is no right or wrong?

YABU - when I was growing up, we had a trampoline with no nets and exposed springs. Nor was it sunk into the ground. AND we used to bounce up to five kids on it including toddlers and the dogs. T

It was brilliant, we were one of the first in the neighbourhood to get one and consequently were the most popular family in the villiage for a while

the TP toys specialist we saw said that more accidents happen with nets as children are not learning to bounce properly and more accidents are happening due to falling akwardly off the sides of enclosures. For our small ones we bought a junior one which only comes up to knee height anyway.

Why don't you mention it to her? Problem solved, you will no longer have a friend who owns a trampoline without a net!

We had a trampoline with a net and we now have one without a net. Kids hurt themselves more with throwing themselves into the net, than they do without it.

Only accident we have had so far is DP thinking he could do a somersault after a few drinks.....only advice i would give is dont let the kids go on it after a few drinks!

Those things really worry me. I think if you're going to have one, then have one with a net and make sure you supervise your kids whenever they are on it. It worries me when people leave their kids playing on them and there's more than one child on at a time.

agree Amelia. I have been amazed that friends think it's ok to leave kids unsupervised on a trampoline, and that it's ok for them to bounce off the net!