How to prevent trampoline injuries?

When buying a trampoline there are many things to consider. Aside from the size of the trampoline and the make and model of the trampoline, one of the most important questions is, how can I keep my children safe in them? According to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission hundreds of kids get injured each year. Most of these injuries could easily be prevented. Here’s a list of things to consider when buying a trampoline.

Over 75% of all injuries can be prevented simply by having a safety net. The safety nets purpose it to break any fall that may occur should the child fall awkward and have any chance of falling to the ground. While some owners feel that they put the trampoline into the ground they do not need a net enclosure. This is absolutely false! With the net enclosure the child will fall back into the jumping mat which has a little bit of give and the kid will bounce right back up. When you have no net enclosure they will fall either to the grass or the concrete. When having small kids it is imperative you must have a net enclosure.

Next thing is to read the manual. Understand the exact specs of you trampoline. If it said 250 then it’s 250. It does not mean 250 each person. It’s 250 total weigh of all the people in the trampoline. Having too much weight on the trampoline will put added pressure on the springs and also the frame. Once this happens there is always potential the frame could collapse and cause injury or even death.

The third thing is to make sure the trampoline is put together correctly. All the nuts and bolts are as tight as they can be and no springs are missing or damage. Even over stretch springs can cause injury. Make sure the trampoline is completely up and fully assembled before anyone hops on for a test jump. There are many parents who put just the frame and the spring mat up and the kids already jumping. While we understand you are very anxious to have your kids jump and few more minutes will not hurt.

The last thing is to make sure this is only one person jumping at once. Most injuries occur with people jump and fall on the next. Heads bumping, leg getting twisted. Once you are up in the air it is almost impossible to control your fall.

So while a trampoline can be a fun toy to have at home at the same time it can be dangerous without the proper supervision. Most of the items mentions can easily be prevented.

Athletes who most commonly train on rectangular trampolines are cheerleaders, wake boarders, gymnasts, basketball players and divers.

When choosing a rectangular trampoline, make sure the frame and springs are thick enough. The frame has to be at least 3.0 mm thick and springs should be close to 9 inches long and slightly tapered at ends for more strength. Weak frame and springs will give a weak bounce. Always call your trampoline store before making your purchase, so you can understand all the specifications of the trampoline.

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