5 key safety checks to make when buying a new trampoline
“Buying a trampoline online is easy; but buying the wrong one is easier”
A trampoline is a purchase that most families hope to only buy one to see their kids through; however it seems that often the purchase is somewhat misguided resulting in the kids not being happy with the bounce of the trampoline, and parents not happy with the quality of the materials both meaning the trampoline isn’t the safest for them in the short or the long term.
If this is the case for you then really take note of this article which will ensure that you know
- what to be aware of
- where to look for answers
- how to ensure you do buy a safe trampoline
- be confident up front with a purchase that your kids will want to bounce on for hours at a time
- where to buy a safe trampoline that will last for years
It is well documented in trampoline blogs and product reviews a trampoline shape, size and bounce mechanism – (springs or alternate means – elastic, fibreglass or leaf spring) all contribute to varying the effectiveness of the bounce; which, for many kids means it won’t be desirable to use for the tricks they aim to learn and do. They won’t want to use it for very long as they will fatigue too quickly. With poor bounce and fatigue also comes an increase of injury so you really do have to take care in making the right purchase for your family.
The best way to cut through the confusion is to source a knowledgeable supplier
- who knows their products and others in the market you are comparing to.
- is not out to, just sell you the biggest and most expensive you can afford. (You will pick up on this quickly.)
- who shares all their specifications so you can see and compare clearly across brands
- who will be available to communicate with you before and after purchase and does listen to you and understand who you are buying for and what their needs are.
- they will help you make an informed decision.
5 Trampoline pre-purchase safety checks others don’t really talk about in relation to safety.
1 – Available space in the garden.
It is so important that you measure the available space you have before you start shopping for a trampoline. Trampoline purchases are generally limited by two very real factors; space and budget so know your limits.
- You don’t want a trampoline into confined space for risk of impact with hard, sharp, fragile or prickly objects.
- A trampoline with a net enclosure should have at least walking space around it.
- A trampoline without a net should have a lot more space, preferably a couple of meters.
- The area that people can often forget is upwards above the trampoline. A netted trampoline is approximately 3m high, teens and adults can jump higher than the height of the net so look for house eves, telephone wires, branches and anything else that could be an overhanging obstruction.
- Ensure the ground is level as well it will increase the life of the frame reducing incorrect load-bearing stresses, the kids will be safer from not jumping on top of each other literally and bounce is better as the trampoline legs are all level on the ground.
If space isn’t a problem then great but please don’t just go and get the biggest trampoline because you have the space you are likely to have disappointed kids if the trampoline is too big for the tricks they want to do for their size and age. People on acreage often are the most disappointed in a trampoline they’ve had as they’ve had a large trampoline while their kids were small. Don’t get me wrong big trampolines have their place for many families just not as many who are better suited to smaller trampolines. This article will go into more detail about where to position a trampoline
2- Budget
You may not think the budget is a safety issue. Let me explain how the budget can be a very real safety issue and how to be well informed particularly if you have a very low or a very high budget as both can be equally harmful to your family if you don’t know what to consider and look out for.
- Low or no budget – There are benefits to be found here and with the information shared you will be grateful you took the time to read this before traveling to claim a Free Trampoline, buy a second-hand trampoline or buy the wrong department store trampoline.
- Free Trampoline or Second-hand Trampoline – Often advertised without a net or a mat if this is the case the first question to ask before committing to taking it off their hands; is to ask the owners if they’ve ever tried to get a new mat or net for it? So many people find out after getting the frame home that they can’t get a mat or net for the frame size.
- Worse is paying for an older trampoline that comes with all the parts but not checking before purchasing that you can get spare parts.
- A very real issue that we see often is the jumping mat failing on second-hand trampolines once assembled in as short a time as a few days or months. The reason for this is if the trampoline is more than a year old; by then the springs and mat are aligned in their wearing together so become compatible but once the trampoline has been relocated the mat triangles, springs and frame positions are mismatched and the mat pulls on a new range of tensions often failing very quickly.
- Regularly we hear from people who can’t source the required spare parts and the new second-hand trampoline is only suitable for landfill. (you can read more on buyer beware of second-hand trampolines here)
- High budget and just want to get the “best” – Trampolines are one thing that “biggest and most expensive is best” just doesn’t fully apply. A competition grade string mat trampoline that ranges in the $5000-$6000+ price point and doesn’t come with a net or ground padding. They’re often used as inground trampolines. Installation costs to put them inground on top of this again. So, you will have an amazing trampoline at an amazing cost. If you have kids with a high level of trampolining skills then this will be the right trampoline for you. However, if your kids are just little and or just starting out with trampolining then getting a trampoline that delivers a professional bounce will not be a safe choice at all for your family. If your kids are highly skilled check their choice of sports as some like cheerleading and gymnastics often don’t require a lot of bounce so this type of trampoline would be an overkill and unsafe for when your kids, go to the spring floor to do their tricks and routines as their awareness will be greatly affected; increasing their risk and likelihood of injury.
When it comes to garden trampolines the biggest and most expensive of any brand or range isn’t the way to choose a trampoline. There is so much more to the selection process to avoid injuries and performance dissatisfaction.
Here are a couple of links to articles on second-hand trampolines and if you have found a great second-hand trampoline that does come with a reliable contact for replacement parts then how to move it to give it the best chances of lasting long as possible will be helpful. Also applies if you are moving to a new house with a trampoline.
3 – Know your kids and how they want to use a trampoline,
There is no one trampoline that is perfect for everyone, but every trampoline is right for someone. There are optimal ones for each family so knowing your kid's ages, weights, and sporting preference requirements really does matter in the result of how bouncy the trampoline is for them, the desired jumping space and in the end how much they are likely to use it. If it doesn’t bounce as the kids would like it to then they won’t use it as much or if it is too big or too small you will also be increasing their risk of injury. This link will outline some details about different sports and what sizes different aged kids are choosing. In families, some compromises may need to be ascertained and weighed up before a final decision is made so that although everyone may not be 100% happy with the trampoline all the time at least everyone will know why and what those limitations might be and generally at the benefit of something else.
4 - A Trampoline that has the relevant Australian certification, this currently is AS 4989-2015 Trampolines for Domestic Use - Safety Aspects
Standards vary across countries and the US and EU standards are nowhere near as tight and comprehensive as Australia’s requirements. However, within Australia, there have been a few different versions over the years and significant changes to the standards, but it is difficult to know to what standards some trampoline suppliers are stating as being the standards they apply to. Meeting Australian standards isn’t a mandatory requirement for selling trampolines in Australia. The current 2015 standards have a big focus and significant changes around weight capacity, load-bearing tests and a very strong focus on strangulation points. This article link here will take you through Australian Trampoline standards in more detail which has a comprehensive video explaining the weight capacity test as well. This will help you to ask better quality questions when contacting suppliers.
5 – Spare parts
Buying a trampoline that comes from a supplier with spare parts is so important as a trampoline can require replacement parts a lot sooner than you may anticipate. Particularly in the event of a severe storm. New Years Eve sparklers regularly are thrown onto trampolines without regard or thoughts of the mat being melted and irreparable.
Cheap and second-hand trampolines often don’t come with the basic requirements of a safe trampoline, adequate padding, strong netting, or a ladder. Too often the basic soft items are damaged and unusable and replacements, unable to be sourced for your trampoline leaves your family and their friends exposed to the springs, frame and falling off or a frame without a mat. Frames can last a lot longer than the parts and it is both sad and frustrating to see and know how many trampoline frames and parts are put to landfill simply because suitable spare parts are not available. Consumers either don’t think of this or just assume all trampolines are the same. Some generic matches can be made but each factory does make to their own specifications of steel, the joining, and crimping of the frame, and so many other aspects. So keep your family safe now and long into the future with a trampoline that is supported with spare parts now and you can have confidence they will be there long into the future as your kids grow and continue to use their trampoline.
When deciding on which trampoline size, shape or brand to buy your family for the long term a specialist trampoline salesperson is desirable over a casual staff member in a department store. Having all the pros and cons of trampolines as it relates to you your family, your space, your budget has you making your purchase fully informed, knowing it will suit your family needs. We have a wonderful team who are trained by jumping on trampolines, they are well informed and know how to help so feel free to either call us on 03 52921100 or email and we will be happy to help you.
