We've had one for 10+ years, lots of neighbors over, and no real issues other than a small one. (more on that later) Here's my 2 cents going against the flow.
YES, trampolines are dangerous. But you CAN
greatly reduce the risk by buying a GOOD one vs a CHEAP one. Just hear me out.
We have a Magic Circle 16' trampoline made in USA. It has a REAL enclosure. The cage around the outside is made from the same stuff that the trampoline is made from. (Think about that for a second) In other words its not "fishnet". You can not see into my trampoline. You can see out, but you can only see in at close distance. The springs (more than most and more heavy duty) are on the OUTSIDE of the cage. Ours is also attached to the ground. I (200 pounds and holding) can literally run and jump into the air, into the side of the trampoline and bounce back. On a
Walmart / Sams trampoline that would be certain injury. Have you ever seen AFHV where they try that??? They fall into a fishnet pocket outside the trampoline! That simply can not happen with mine. Also the walls are very tall on mine, so no jumping over the cage.
Instead of the usual 200 pound max weight requirement (check your manual, you might be surprised how low the weight requirement is) ours has a 750 pound weight limit!!! Instead of little poles, the poles are (with the padding) almost 6" in diameter. I'm not bragging; I'm saying YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We bought a real trampoline, and we have not had any injuries other than myself knocking my knee into my mouth a couple times when doing flips. (Yes, 200 pound me does flips on my trampoline!!! Its another form of exercise and I love exercise.)
We paid an arm and a leg for our QUALITY MADE trampoline, and it has saved us from broken arms and legs. We also have very specific rules about it. No more than one jumping at a time... PERIOD. No shoes. No toys. And only easy fun. No wrestling or roughhousing. We could have a broken bone next week, but so far its been over 10 years with no real problems. I like my trampoline as much as the children do. We had all the neighborhood children over today, and no one got hurt. Mostly they just sat around in a circle and talked.
Count me in as the one going against the flow who is FOR trampolines. I think (like most things) you have to consider ALL factors to an argument. If you have a cheap piece of crap from Walmart (because your too cheap to buy a quality US made trampoline) with exposed springs, no cage (or worse yet, the false security of a cheap mesh cage), a small trampoline, or one not rated for the weight, you can expect problems. Throw in a family party where parents get drunk and let the kids jump unsupervised and you can expect injuries. Its like everything else; you get out of it what you put into it.
The real problem with trampolines is the parents. If they were buying a car or LCD TV or a toy for THEM they would do their homework. They might be more apt to pay more and get what they really need. But since it (the trampoline) is for the children, they take the cheap route out. They buy some cheap chinese made injury trap. I was at a party once where the family had one such trampoline. It was only about 5 years old. A grown up got to jumping really high, and when he came down, he kept going. It ripped down the middle. Mine is over 10 years old and aside from the pads on the outside of the cage needing replacing, the trampoline basically looks like it did when we bought it new. Thats the difference between $200 at Walmart and $1000 online with a US based company.
Our only injury was my wife did break her thumb on ours early on, but she also broke her toe in the house doing something far more stupid. (She would agree with me on this!) so injuries can happen ANYWHERE. Yes, they happen more often on trampolines, but my point is if you buy a quality made trampoline you can at least reduce them greatly.
So in response to a recent comment asking why anyone would ever take the unnecessary risk.....
I personally have NEVER been injured on my trampoline, and neither of my children have. But I personally HAVE been injured while swimming, while on a bicycle, while working on a vehicle, while working my career, while playing with the dogs, while fishing, and even while walking through my house. All of which are either necessary parts of life, or things I enjoy doing. If i HAVE been injured while doing all those things, and I have NOT been injured on my trampoline, I see no reason to sell the trampoline.
