to worry about trampoline with nets being safe ?

[Babieseverywhere]

My parents have very kindly offered to buy our children a garden trampoline with a safety net as a joint birthday gift.

But I am worried that these trampoline look very dangerous, no facts or horrible RL stories to base my opinion on, I just think they must be dangerous...AIBU

My DH thinks I am silly for worrying and points out the children love their indoor small, low trampoline and bounce on it for hours (when it is not in the utility room as it takes up so much space in the house when it is being used.)

Our garden is totally paved if that makes a difference to the safety factor.

So what is the Mumsnet verdict on trampolines ?

we visited with friends recently who has a big round tramp with nets - it was faboulas. DD (2) loved it & she & her friend (also 2) spent hours in there jumping, running, falling over and laughing and playing really well.

For variety we would throw in soft balls, bean bags, large stuffed toys etc - they loved it.

I had no problem at all with 2 x 2 year olds in there together & DD very quickly worked out how to get herself in & out safely. I wouldn't allow a bigger child in with them as that upsets the equilibrium & balance of the thing (the smaller kids bounce too high then).

All in all I think they are great -wish we had one.

I have had enormous pleasure watching this morning 2x 6yr olds, 1x 3yr old and 2x 2yr olds bouncing all at the same time on our 14ft trampoline with netting.
They exercised and enjoyed for 2.5hrs filling the road garden with sounds of joy!
Once in a while they bumped heads or landed on each other and had the odd cry.

We also throw in a variety of balls for added fun, downdog you should try adding a space hopper

KRH that is "the best bit" as kids need to amuse themselves.

I took them for a romp in the woods all morning,do crafts,read with them etc etc. As well as quality time with me they need space away from me in an environment which I don't need to be constantly hovering over.

I also need time to myself as I'll be single handedly supervising all 3 the entire hols so it's a win win situation really. To quote you again-"lighten up"

Brogan2 - I was actually half way through typing the exact same thing about doctors and c-sections, eg it's all about perspective. I stopped typing because I suspect this is an argument that can't be won either way. We all have different ways of bringing up our children and I guess "to trampoline or not to trampoline" is a good dividing line along which we all wobble.

Wow this thread is still going strong!
Reread my earlier post and I did sound a bit of a pompous twat. To try and word it better, tramploines are ace, I heart them, I love teaching kids how to BUT unsupervised in a back garden for me hell no.
(Disclaimer; my kids climb, scoot, blah blah everything else)

Strandesdatsea I love your dividing line quote.

"By brogan2 Wed 07-Apr-10 14:31:03
The big problem with listening to the views of A&E docs etc is that they only see the kids who have been injured."

well, yes and no. five years ago before trampolines were so popular they weren't seeing these bad twist injuries, now they are. i think it's reasonable to come to the conclusion that trampolining is the causative factor wrt the severity and length of treatment etc. evidently it's the type of injury that is key.

I have not read the whole thread but I would not get one.

My friend is a consultant who used to work at a spinal injuries unit. She said if you had worked there then NO WAY would you ever allow your child on one in the garden. Too many spinal injuries/children being paralysed. She did say though that the highest risk is with teanagers not small children. I suppose they are just more careless and can bounce higher and harder. I would not let the risk of minor injuries bother me, but the above absolutely.

I have 3 mad boys which may alter my decision. I just can't be out with them all the time and they have friends over etc.

Our 3 dc's 13, 6 and 4 all love playing on the trampoline together or on their own. It's great exercise for them. They know not to be rough and always fasten up the zip on the enclosure and are usually sensible. However when they have friends over they are limited to one at a time. We've had it 3 years now and it's the best money we have ever spent on outdoor toys. I would recommend an 8ft one as it's not big enough to do anything too adventurous like somersaults.

Never mind the children. Have YOU ever been on a trampoline?
Brilliant fun.
My 3dc love getting on with me. We play crack the egg.
I love it.

QUOTE
By ChippingIn Tue 06-Apr-10 22:38:14
alyson - a swing & a trampoline with an enclosure are two completely different things! Who in their right mind would have a swing on concrete?

Can't you lock the see-saw into one position (so it only goes up & down) - most of them you can.

How old are your kids?

Of course it is, but on the first page OP mentioned getting a swing instead.

No you cant lock the see-saw.

Kids are 7, 4 2 and 1.

Before I post this, I accept that it doesnt answer the question, but I thought it was quite interesting. I spent a few months living on a housing association estate with a paved communal area. One of the residents with a child bought a large trampoline and put it into the communal area for use of all the children. The housing association had to keep visiting and banning the trampoline in case of accidents. They had had problems on other estates with it.

Our kids were too young to play out so it didnt affect them, but what was the most annoying thing was the teens and adults on it late at night with cans of lager etc.

Getting paralysed from jumping up and down on a trampoline with a safety seems rather unlikely. Surely you have to do something a bit more adventurous than that like a somersault.

Once children are older controlling use of even a netted trampoline (eg when you are at work or late home) is impossible and you can come home to a crowd of kids squealing, wrestling, squirting water etc etc. Not good for neighbourly relations either.

Also, will you always be at the kitchen window or in the garden to see that the rules of use are abided by.

We did have a trampoline when the children were older and no net! but it was on grass and I just had to keep fingers crossed that there would be no serious injuries.

A swing can be a nuisance too unless you can hire a robot to push!!

OK I've just uploaded a small pic of a trampoline across the canal from us - it's to one side as well... (sorry can't seem to manage to get it portrait).

I have seen young children playing on this.

lol, i'd rather land in the water than on the concrete.

It's pretty cold and murky... But yes I fancy my chances better in the water. Good job the hospital's less than 5 minutes away.

There is a house by me next to a canal with a trampoline too. But they do at least have a fence that is 3 footish high.

Hillarious pic!

that pic is something else - I thought you meant it was next to a fence next to the canal - no fence even?

I am fine with them as long as not on paving slabs and not next to canals!