Trampolines

[tiggerlover]

We were thinking about buying a trampoline for our DS now that we have a huge backyard. Would love to hear from people who have them and any tips I would need in my search to buy one.

Thanks.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I think they are unsafe and wouldn't have one. Just my opinion.

Good luck in your search.

 

[RNMOM]

Might I suggest you speak with your insurance agent first? DSis is a realtor and said some are no longer giving insurance/not covering accidents on them.

 

[monkeyboy]

not a fan of tramps
seen to many accidents

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

The only safe tramp is a mini-tramp. Full sized ones are NOT safe, IMO.
I have not ever owned a tramp, or nor do I plan to but the family who lives directly behind us does. They have 2 DDs, one about 7 and the other 10ish. I have seen them fall off way too many times to ever even consider getting one.

Trampolines are for circus people and should not be used in the common, everday home. JMHO,though. Take it or leave it.

TOV

 

[Trish Bessette]

My neice broke her leg in two places bouncing on one of these. I know the urge you have, I would love to have one for my girls as well. The fact is they are just too dangerous.

If you do get one make sure you have the net around it and most importantly only have one person on it at a time.

 

[HollyJoy]

I'm on the side of never having one. I think they are very unsafe. A good friend of mine works for a pediatrician, and she's seen injury after injury due to backyard trampolines. I decided to enroll my kids in gymnastics instead.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

A couple years ago I was set on getting one for DD's and I mentioned it to one of my friends....She couldn't believe I was considering it since I am really an "over protective" mom...as far as the kids hurting themselves.....Needless to say, I didn't get one and don't plan on it after talking to many people.

I thought that the one with the "enclosure" would be safe though...but people said kids can still fall inbetween it.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

That's what happens with the littlest girl who lives behind me. She's a very petite 7 yo and she's ALWAYS falling inbetween the net and the edge of the tramp. I'm surprised she hasn't broken anything yet!

TOV

 

[missypie]

Santa brought a big round trampoline with a net around it for Christmas 2002. Santa has never brought a toy that has been played with more. DD8 is a competitive gymnast and she is out there all the time. (She'll come home from 3 hours of gymnastics and head for the trampoline.)

But, I have heard that your homeowners' insurance could be cancelled if you have a trampoline. (Which is very silly to me since they insure folks with pools.) Being a lawyer, before any neighbor kid can bounce on our trampoline, I make them take a release home to their parents to sign.

When we re-do our back yard, I'm going to have one sunken into the ground.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

We have friends who have one for their DD12. I don't know too much about insurance, but I do know that even though they have a net, she has been hurt on it a few times (not seriously though) and rarely if ever uses it anymore.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My mom bought one for DS a couple years ago. He has the one from Sams Club with the enclosure. I seriously. don't see how he could fall through the opening between the enclosure and the trampoline, they fit pretty close. He's had it since he was 4 and knock on wood, no serious injuries. He loves that thing. Him and the dog jump on it together. If you're careful and don't let them jump with multiple kids, I don't see a problem. As another poster stated, he has never played with something he has got, as much, as this trampoline. Good Luck!!

 

[KristiKelly]

My SIL's FIL (make sense) is a Dr., he told SIL & BIL once that he will never interfere with how they raise there kids EXCEPT that he told them to NEVER buy them a trampoline. He said he sees so many kids that get hurt on them.

DS has a friend with one, I worry everytime he goes over to there house.

 

[tiggerlover]

Wow, I never expected to get so many responses about this being so unsafe. I am glad I asked.

 

[IceQueen777]

Originally posted by roliepolieoliefan
My mom bought one for DS a couple years ago. He has the one from Sams Club with the enclosure. I seriously. don't see how he could fall through the opening between the enclosure and the trampoline, they fit pretty close. He's had it since he was 4 and knock on wood, no serious injuries. He loves that thing. Him and the dog jump on it together. If you're careful and don't let them jump with multiple kids, I don't see a problem. As another poster stated, he has never played with something he has got, as much, as this trampoline. Good Luck!!

We have the same one. I also don't see how anyone can fall in between the net and the trampoline, and my DD is a skinny petite thing! Maybe they are made differently now?

Anyway, it was the best money we ever spent on a toy. She uses the trampoline more than anything else, and she has never gotten hurt. Of course, she IS NOT a little daredevil and doesn't try anything outrageous.

 

[froglady]

I would never have one as they are inherently unsafe; children have sustained fractures while jumping solo and just hitting the bed too hard. A local adult, who taught trampoline usage, was killed when he landed a little off and broke his neck.

I know that lots of people have had trampolines for years without any problems; I also know people who skydive without problems, but I still think THAT'S dangerous, and wouldn't do it! (I also don't have a home pool, although my children have both been swimming since toddlerhood.)

And yes, more children are hurt in auto, bike and water related accidents than on trampolines; higher numbers of children also ride/play in/on them and do it more frequently. The injuries per trampoline usage is significantly higher, especially since they are only seasonal in many areas. If all owners could use them year round, the number of injuries could be even higher.

The bottom line is, I need to have my children riding in cars in order to function in my environment. Bike riding is considered a neccessary skill; my daughter is overseas and that is her major form of transportation. Learning to swim might save your life some day. I don't feel that the rewards of a trampoline outweigh the risks. Someone else might feel that they do.

 

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by TheOtherVillainess
The only safe tramp is a mini-tramp.

sorry that just made me

 

[H&Hmommy]

I wanted to get one for DD7 and DS5 and my husband said, "No way" Our kids can't even stay at a friends house if they have one. I have since heard many stories of little ones getting hurt. What can I say my DH was right for once.
If you do get one make sure you have the netting around the sides. Good luck.

 

[laurie31]

I work in a pediatric trauma center. Please don't get one.

Read this:
http://www.newmobility.com/review_article.cfm?id=441&action=browse

and this:

http://www.local6.com/news/2780070/detail.html

Sign your ds up for gymnastics, horseback riding, soccer, whatever he likes, or get a badmitton set or croquet set for your nice backyard, anything but a trampoline...

Laurie

ps - read this too...
http://jumpking-trampolines-guide.com/trampoline-injuries.htm

 

[tonyswife]

I concur. As a former gymnastics coach I can tell you that most kids will eventually do something "brave" (also known as stupid) on it. At the last gym I coached at, we had to close the tramp during open gym and use it during highly supervised and instructed class time only. Kids think they are invincible. Sign your kids up for a gymnastics class with coaches safety certified by USA Gymnastics and your kids will get tramp time, safely. I am safety certified and I know how to use the trampoline safely, I will still never have one in my yard for my kids.