Giant Trampolines

[KnitterMama]

So, I don't necessarily have to worry about this right now, as DS is only 4 months old but...

My 12 year old niece recently broke her leg (tib fib fracture) whilst gleefully bouncing on one of those giant trampolines at her friend's house. I have always hated those things anyway, but now it's coming-up in our family that maybe we shouldn't have them around (um, ya think??), as my Mom has one. My niece is having a really difficult recovery, and my Mom (the grandmother-matriarch with 14 grandchildren) keeps getting horror stories (like about a 4 year old literally poking his own eye out on one) which I HOPE are changing her mind.

I'm wondering - what do you all think of these things? I really don't like them and worry very much about my nieces and nephews on them (can you say "neck injury"??). I don't plan on being the kind of Mom that bans everything because it scares me, or the kind of Mom that anxiously watches DS's every move on the playground...but these giant trampolines just seem like an avoidable hazard, kwim?

ETA: Please ignore the Hitchhiker's Guide quote in my sig :LOL seems a little out of place given the topic...

[thismama]

:LOL about your sig!

The only experience I have with them is that as a kid (age 10?) I went to a birthday party, and the family had one of those big ones in the backyard... it was new. I sprained my ankle, and another girl broke her leg so badly the bone was protruding through the skin.

They look like fun, but I think they are too dangerous to mess with.

[alegna]

I think trampolines are great fun, but also VERY dangerous. I think that they are okay when used in a well regulated and supervised situation (like a gymnastics class...) but are not generally safe for backyard use.

-Angela

[Marsupialmom]

I think that the biggest problem with them is lack of supervision and safety equipment/training. This does not include upkeep, which most people don’t really maintain them properly.

I think they can be great fun, but after researching maintenance issues I doubt I would get one.

[spsmom]

we recently went to a family's house where there was one in the yard. it had a safety net around it that also covered all metal springs and such. it seemed very safe even for my 2 year old. i agree with pp's who say that safety and supervision are key.

another option which i remember from being a kid...some friends had one and they dug a hole big enough to make the trampoline ground level.

but again, safety and supervision is key. the rules at our friend's house was only 2 jumpers at a time and there was always at least one mom watching.

[mumm]

We love them! We have had one for 2 years and it was the best money we ever spent on a toy. I think having rules and keeping them enforced is the key. We do not have the net around it because I think it provides a false sense of security. I want my kids to jump in control and with control.
We had one minor injury when a neighbor child who is well known for bing the king of his house, not having parents who make rules or follow through, fell off the side. He was alone with his mom at the time, and I must admit I think it was a good thing. I'd rather see him with a minor scratch than a major injury later. I think the mom learned that she needs to follow through on the safety rules there.

It is good for exercise and we use it a lot just to get out energy in January and Febuary! HTH.

[Alkenny]

I have a friend who's 17 year old daughter fell and broke her ankle (bone protruding) on one. I know that alot of insurance companies will now cancel your home owner's insurance if they even find out you have one, let alone if any injuries occur.

[hvl25]

i cannot stand those things. my kids are older and i will not allow them to jump on them. period. i don't care if so and so is jumping, or only 2 kids at a time, or whatever excuse i get the answer is still no. they can sit on them and chat or bounce on their butts but no jumping allowed. i have heard of kids knocking their teeth into other kids heads while jumping and i have major tooth issues, that just freaks/grosses me out.....LOL

[mgmsmommy]

I don't like them either. And have heard many stories of children getting caught between those nets parents think make them safe & the trampolines themselves when falling. And most parents around here don't seeem to supervise their kids & allow 6-8 of them on at a time. Too scary for me.

[NiteNicole]

I think they're a lot of fun and when our kids are old enough, we'll have one if there's room. I know of at least as many bike and swing set injuries as tramp ones - and I wouldn't rule out bikes or swing sets. I think you just have to set limits on how many kids at a time and cut short any serious rough housing and they're probably as safe as anything else.

[The Lucky One]

My dh is a surgeon and has done many years of trauma surgery. He has seen everything, and I mean everything. Despite seeing all that he has, he is still a fairly laid back parent as far as safety is concerned, but there are two things he said our children will *NEVER* have and those are a trampoline and a four-wheeler.

That says a lot, imo.

[KnitterMama]

The ER nurse told my sister (the mother of my niece who hurt herself) that most of the injuries (and they see A LOT of them from trampolines) occur ON the trampoline, not from falling off it. My niece's tib-fib fracture occurred when she fell on another person (who wasn't hurt himself thankfully) while still on the trampoline.

See, I know they're great fun and great exercise...but I really just don't want DS near one of them. I'm leaning in the "not allowed on it no matter what" direction. :

[lumi]

We have one, with a safety net, and take basic precautions, including adult superision. It's also inside a fenced yard, so the only kids on it are those whose parents know and are OK with it.The kids love it, and I even jump on it sometimes. But that's us, if you feel uncomfortable with them then absolutely don't let your child use one.

[thismama]

I'm sorry they are/seem so dangerous because they are SO DAMN MUCH FUN!!!!!!! If I wasn't worried about injuries I would definitely want one.

[kazmir]

I will not have one and I do not let DD use one if more than 1 kid at a time is one it. She does use the ones at gymnastics class but only supervised and one at a time.

Alot of insurance companies will not insure a home if it has a tranpoline on premises. If you have one and want insurance you have to take it down and sign a form stating you will not set it back up (1 company I work with).

Also friend I know who works admitting to the ER states that trampolines and skateboards are number 1 and 2 for trama injuries to kids admitted.

I think they are not worth it.

[Lucky Charm]

Originally Posted by swimmin_mama

The ER nurse told my sister (the mother of my niece who hurt herself) that most of the injuries (and they see A LOT of them from trampolines) occur ON the trampoline, not from falling off it.

As an ER nurse myself, I totally agree.