Do you have a trampoline?

[swampangel]

I was considering getting a trampoline for the backyard this summer.  How do you mamas feel about the safety of trampolines?  Do you have one?  If not, what other outdoor stuff do you have that children 5 and older enjoy?

Thanks!

[mamazee]

There are strong opinions on this, so expect a variety of responses.

I'll give you my perspective. Yes, there are safety issues, but lots of childhood play has potential dangers, and IMO the exercise value of trampolines outweighs the risk.

[Imakcerka]

I won't get one.  As much as the girls want one I can't do it.  I have personally seen some gnarly accidents with trampolines and knowing DD1  She'll be the first one to the ER.  Our neighbors have one and the girls are drooling over it.  Sucks but, I'm not doing it.  Also our yard is pretty small and there are a lot of trees.  Wouldn't be fun to get scratched up by them.

[Buzzer Beater]

Our family had a trampoline growing up, as did our cousins and my best friends. This was before the safety netting became popular. I never saw an injury worse than (or really as bad as) falling off your bike or skateboard. I think the key for trampolines is intense supervision. Super super fun, and a great part of my childhood!

[Peony]

I had growing up, we used it all the time. As a parent, I had heard all the horror stories of injuries, my neighbor is an ER doc and won't let his kids on one. We were given a used one, the girls loved it so when that one was on it's way out we bought a new one. We have all the gear, netting, mats, only 2 children allowed at a time. I'm fine with the perceived risk now. They enjoy it, it keeps them busy, they will play games on it for hours. There are 3 houses on our street with trampolines, we don't have a lot of children around so that is a decent number! Our backyard is sloped and full of large trees so we have it in front in that yard. Not the best visually but it works. 

[loraxc]

I know of three broken bones from trampolines in my relatively small local circle of friends. I don't see them as safe.

[tinuviel_k]

Our family had one for about eight years. We loved that thing! All the neighborhood kids came over to play on it with us (after my dad had their parents fill out release forms). No one ever got injured on it. I wouldn't mind getting one for my family.

[Imakcerka]

All things carry a risk.  Bikes, skateboards and yes trampolines.  I guess I just try to mitigate the risks and the DD's get a bikes instead.  I don't do blood so if there was an accident... Judas help them.

[Peony]

Originally Posted by Imakcerka 

All things carry a risk.  Bikes, skateboards and yes trampolines.  I guess I just try to mitigate the risks and the DD's get a bikes instead.  I don't do blood so if there was an accident... Judas help them.

Yes! My kids do riskier sports I guess. DD1 is an avid skateboarder, we spent many hours at the skate park. I see more accidents there then on trampolines but I'm fine with that. 

[Imakcerka]

Oh geez no injuries on the skateboard yet but DD1 busted open her chin awhile back SO GROSS!

[wishin'&hopin']

DW is a family practice doctor...and is clear that there are to be no trampolines.  She says the danger isn't usually from falling off of them (altho' I worked in a hospital and we did have a kid who ended up in the PICU after falling off and onto something) but from hitting each other on the trampoline (an elbow to the face or heads knocked together).

[sharon71]

We bought a trampoline last spring we had it less than a month and our middle daughter jumped too high and landed the wrong way breaking her ankle on both sides. She required surgery and has a screw holding her ankle together.

With that being said we still have our trampoline and the girls still play on it  during warm weather at least. Until then it is dismantled and put away.

[chrissy]

We just got one for Christmas.  We thought a lot about it, but in the end decided it was worth the risk.  I posted about it on facebook and got a variety of responses.  One of my friends said (tongue in cheek), something along the lines of, "Yeah, too dangerous.  Better to buy them a 2 liter of Mountain Dew, a giant tv, and a bunch of video games.  They can stay inside and be safe all day!" 

So far, we all love our trampoline.  The kids like it best when I jump with them because it makes them bounce so high.

[JayGee]

We got a Spingfree trampoline in August and my kids have been on it every day since. Rain, snow, 15 degree temps - yep,they're out there.  It's supposed to be the safest trampoline on the market, and we do have a "one at a time" rule.

[pianojazzgirl]

Originally Posted by JayGee 

We got a Spingfree trampoline in August and my kids have been on it every day since. Rain, snow, 15 degree temps - yep,they're out there.  It's supposed to be the safest trampoline on the market, and we do have a "one at a time" rule.

Wow, those look AWESOME!  I wish we could afford one....
 

[pigpokey]

In an era where 40% of my state's kids are overweight, and 25% of my state's 3rd graders are OBESE, I think it's time to let go of the idea of a childhood free of risk of ever having a broken bone.

I'm not saying we should go out there and let them jump two at a time, double bouncing each other and smacking heads.  I'm just saying, these blanket opinions agains them ... just have an open mind that they might be right for another family.

We've had one, no nets, since before they were born.   Occasionally there will be shin splints.  Also you don't go from 0 to 60 mph overnight.  The kids that aren't familiar with them fall off more.  They don't have an internal map of the tramp.  Some of the weirdest things I've seen are when a kid hasn't been on a tramp at all and gets on it, takes one step and falls off. 

I also let them climb trees, and if DS one day falls out of a tree and breaks an arm, I don't think I'd say "OK that's it.  No more trees."

[Ragana]

Nope, I would not get one. Our friend's son broke his femur on one and another friend's cousin was paralyzed. That's enough for me! If you are in the United States, you might also want to look up the concept of "attractive nuisance" and see if that applies to trampolines in your location before you decide.

http://definitions.uslegal.com/a/attractive-nuisance/

[nextcommercial]

I wouldn't worry about my own child on a trampoline.  But, I worry about other's kids, and if their child were injured, would the parent hold us liable.  So, I never got one for that reason.  But, I always allowed my child to use one, as long as they weren't being dumb.

[Polliwog]

You'll want to check with your homeowner's insurance company to find out if a trampoline would raise your rates or cause you to be dropped.

[csekywithlove]

I never had a trampoline growing up but many of our friends in the neighborhood did. I fell on my back onto the metal bar of the trampoline one day after my friend's older brother (15 yr old) decided to jump with us. We were all very little ( 7 and 8 year olds). I remember laying my back and the girls screaming for me not to move as they went to get their mom (a nurse who worked with my dad). I was fine, but I had some bruising and was very sore for about three days. 

While I wasn't traumatized by this event, I got on a trampoline I think three weeks after, I wouldn't have one at my house. I can see the money going to something else like piano lessons, swim lessons, soccer, etc. I would just say if you do get one, watch the kids like a hawk while they are on it.