Garden Trampoline Safety Guide for Parents

Trampolining is a fun and exciting activity for children, providing them with both enjoyment and physical exercise. However, it is crucial to ensure that trampolining is done safely to avoid injuries. This guide offers key safety points and advice for parents to help keep trampolining a safe activity in your garden.

Important Key Points for Safe Trampolining

While the main aim of trampolining is to have fun, it is also incredibly important that everyone using the trampoline remains safe and that accidents are prevented. Here are some of the most important points to consider when using trampolines:

• Age Restrictions – The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents states that children under the age of 6 are usually not physically developed enough to be able to control their bouncing on a trampoline and, therefore, should not be using them.
• Supervision – Adult supervision is essential but does not guarantee safety. More than half of all trampoline accidents happen under supervision. Ensure children are supervised and know how to trampoline safely before using a garden trampoline.
• Number of Users – It is recommended that one person uses the trampoline at any one time to prevent accidents. ROSPA’s Garden Trampoline advice states that ‘60% of injuries occur when more than one person is on the trampoline’, with the lightest person being around five times more likely to be injured in any accidents that may occur.
• Somersaults and Advanced Moves – It is strongly recommended that parents do not allow children to attempt somersaults or complicated moves unless they have received training from a class or instructor, as these types of movements being attempted with no training can go horribly wrong.
• Safety Training – Consider looking into your child joining a local trampolining class or club to learn new skills safely.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Trampoline

Trampolines can be a great investment that can bring your child hours of outside playtime while also being good for their fitness too. Before you go ahead and order a trampoline, it is important to look at the safety features that each product comes with already, and if there are none included with your chosen trampoline, be sure to check out where you can buy safety accessories that fit your brand and size of trampoline properly. Some of the safety accessories you will want to consider include:

• Safety Pads – You should always have safety pads on a trampoline to protect the user from falling and hurting themselves on the spring or frame. Try to choose a trampoline with safety pads that cover the springs, hooks, and frame, or if you find yourself with a trampoline that doesn’t have safety pads, be sure to find out the brand and size so you can purchase the correct safety pads for your product. It’s a good idea to ensure the pads are a contrasting colour to the mat for easier visibility.
• Safety Netting – When shopping for your trampoline, you may want to consider models with safety netting to prevent users from hitting the springs or frame and to stop them from bouncing off the trampoline. Again, it is important to ensure that your safety net fits the brand and size of your trampoline to ensure a proper fit for maximum safety.

Where Should a Garden Trampoline Be Placed?

Another important consideration is the placement of the trampoline, as well as the type of ground it is placed on. Soft surfaces such as a lawn, bark wood chips, or sand are good for energy absorption and will allow for minimal movement of the trampoline whilst it is being used. You should avoid placing the trampoline on hard surfaces like concrete or tarmac without safety matting. The placement of the trampoline within your garden should maintain a ‘clear zone’ of at least 2.5 meters around the trampoline. This area should remain free from toys, trees, washing lines, poles, and other hard objects, minimising the chance of obstruction or further injury in the event of an accident.

It is vital that the trampoline is properly maintained and regularly checked to ensure any issues are quickly noticed and corrected. Trampoline cleaning is also incredibly important to ensure that the trampoline is in best condition possible. You should regularly check the trampoline safety features, such as safety pads and safety net, to make sure they are correctly attached and properly placed. The trampoline should also be tied down and secured to prevent it from moving in high winds. In windy conditions and during the colder months, it is recommended to increase the frequency of these checks and maintenance to ensure the trampoline is safe to use. When the trampoline is not being used, it can be useful to remove any ladders to prevent unsupervised access from smaller children.

Rules for Trampoline Use

To ensure safety alongside endless hours of fun, it is a great idea to create a set of rules for children using the trampoline and ensure they know them, understand them and stick to them while playing. This can help to minimise accidents and ensure the fun times stay fun!

Recommended Trampoline Rules

• Take Turns – Only one person should use the trampoline at any given time.
• No Risky Moves – Avoid attempting somersaults or other risky moves.
• Exit Safely – Children should always step on and off the trampoline; bouncing off the trampoline should be discouraged.
• Maintain Supervision – Children should always be supervised while using the trampoline.

Choosing the Right Size Trampoline

Choosing the right sized trampoline for those who will be using it is an essential part of ensuring the equipment is safe for them. We’ve put together a general sizing guide below to help:

Trampoline Size Guide

• 8 ft Trampoline: Ideal for smaller back gardens, suitable for one child at a time.
• 12 ft Trampoline: Suitable for most families, accommodating multiple children or adults.
• 14 ft Trampoline: Provides space for advanced trampolining, suitable for multiple children or adults.

While this guide is great for giving a rough idea, it is always best to check the age recommendations with the trampoline manufacturer.

Additional Tips for Safe Trampolining

• Always encourage users to bounce in the centre of the trampoline to reduce the risk of falling off or awkward landings.
• Do not allow children to go underneath the trampoline as this can be extremely dangerous.
• Ensure children take regular breaks to prevent fatigue and reduce the risk of accidents.

By following these guidelines and safety tips, you can help ensure that your children enjoy trampolining while minimising the risk of accidents and injuries. Stay vigilant, supervise actively, and make safety a priority to keep trampolining a fun and safe activity for your family. Check out other trending outdoor toys of 2024 to give your children the ultimate outdoor playtime experiences this summer.

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