Four trampoline safety hazards to avoid

Four key hazards to be aware of around your trampoline

We know when parents invest in a good quality trampoline for their kids, they want to make sure that their trampoline of choice will have a long lifespan. If you make sure to keep your trampoline away from certain obvious and also easily overlooked hazards this will ensure the extended life of your trampoline.

Fire

Trampolines are made out of synthetic materials. If you barbeque or have a bonfire near your trampoline you risk burning holes in the mat or the safety pads (the jumping mat is particularly vulnerable as once this has a hole it needs to be replaced as there is no permanent repair option for jumping mats).

Sparklers and Fireworks

• Once again, fire is not a good friend of trampolines. Of course, if you follow the safety instructions of fireworks, you shouldn't be anywhere near your trampoline when using them anyway.
• Sparklers are more likely to be a problem, as they are often used at parties and children love running around with them and throwing them in the air. Just make sure kids are educated on the safety of sparklers and the need to keep them away from the trampoline until the sparkling fun is over.
• It is also important to be aware that if your neighbour has party guests can easily throw sparklers in the air, landing over the fence and onto trampolines.

Pets

• Cats and dogs, in particular, have quite sharp claws that can cause tears to the mat and compromise its strength.
• Some dogs and cats love bouncing as much as children do. Be sure to zip up your trampoline when no one but the pets are in the backyard.

Wind

• Strong winds can make your trampoline airborne if it is not properly anchored and secured. This can lead to serious damage to both your trampoline and your property.
• If it hits a wall, the frame might bend beyond repair.
• If it hits a pointy fence or your garden rocks, the mat or net will most likely tear.
• So make sure to secure it properly, before the wind starts to blow!

Sharp objects

• Shoe buckles are innocent but can so easily put a weakening graze across the mat. It is important to implement a shoes-off rule or even soft shoes only.

• Stones in grooves of runners can be a risk as well. Soft shoes are fine on a trampoline, but be sure to educate the kids to check if they have any stones stuck in the underside of their shoes before getting on the trampoline. Again a shoe off rule might be best if you have a lot of stones around.
• Knives or scissors, who would have thought, our own son did stab our trampoline mat with a vegetable knife. I don't know why, but as an 8-year-old he did like to find out what would happen and test things like this. He soon learnt that the mat will tear if stabbed. Same goes for the scissors. I have been happy to learn that my son isn't the only one to have done this! Of course, the net and pads are also vulnerable to this occurring.
• Bikes, scooters, and skateboards can also do damage to a trampoline by cutting or grazing the mat, net or pads with their sharp edges. 

Using common sense and creating this awareness of these hazards will ensure your trampoline will have a longer life. Make sure to have a chat with the kids, what is common sense to adults isn't yet to kids. This will help with the prevention of future damage to your trampoline.

Scroll down further for more links to more articles on trampoline and children safety on and around the trampoline.

Photo - Tyler Merbler - Flickr