Talk to me about trampolines! Are the “spring free” ones really safer?

[Trampppppoline]

DS really wants a trampoline. I know he’d play on it a lot in the spring / summer, which would be good for him for fitness.

But I’m a bit concerned about safety as I keep hearing about children who broke bones on them.

Are the springless ones really safer? Or are trampolines generally just a bad idea?!?

Bump

We've had one for 8 years 😮

It's a jump king oval one with a net. Has springs and have replaced bits over the years but honestly it's great.

I know there can be injuries on them but we've had no problems. (Kids were 6/8 yo when we got it)

My child did break his arm cooking with nanna though (fell of the chair as a toddler) so we'd already concluded life was a risk and the benefits outweighed the risks.

With ours the net means the springs are on the outside and covered over so less risk to the kids if that makes sense. This is ours www.very.co.uk/1600407534.prd

We've had it for years now and it's been fantastic. No problems whatsoever.

The niblings had a trampoline despite me saying they were dangerous. They got rid of it after a broken arm.

The biggest risk of trampolines is when a larger person jumps and sends a smaller person flying. So don't let parents/older sibling on at the same time as a younger child. Or groups of children where two might jump at the same time. Same with bouncy castles.

And no sitting on the edge when someone is using it.

Thanks everyone! Are the expensive springless ones worth it?

I would say springed ones are fine provided the cover is always over the edge. Having trampolined at a uni club for years, my top tips are:

• Only one person on the trampoline at once
• Always bouncy in the centre of the trampoline
• Never bounce/jump off the trampoline, always stop jumping and walk off.
• Always aim to bounce on your feet unless you have been taught how to land safely on back/front/bum by a qualified coach
• Never bounce on your knees
• Never place anything on the trampoline while bouncing (teddy/phone etc)

This is very handy!!! Thank you!

Have trampolines helped any of your children’s fitness levels too?

They're wildly dangerous if more than one person is on them especially if there's a weight difference between the people. It's one of the most common ways for children to break a bone. The problem is that it's no fun to go on by yourself so no one ever follows that rule!

Trampolines offer absolutely great play value. 4 kids all bounced on several 13 to 16 footers) from about 2 to 16 ( although knowing what I know I would be careful about immature joints in preschoolers) We have had a couple of minor fractures but I would say the benefits and exercise far out away thr injuries.Goes without saying that a net and good maintenance are vital, and 1 bouncer at a time.

One of DC1's friends impaled themselves through the anus on one of the poles that holds the net up. They ended up having several surgeries in Great Ormond St.

The trouble with trampolines is the extra energy gained from the elasticity of the trampoline. So for this reason, two people bumping into each other while bouncing on a trampoline are going to experience a much worse injury than two people who walk into each other in the ground.

I don't know anything about trampolines without springs but I imagine the forces involved maybe a little less

Dbro is an A&E consultant. They're banned in his house (and mine)

One of DC1's friends impaled themselves through the anus on one of the poles that holds the net up
I think they weren't having you on? Was he trampolining naked?