Check Your Trampoline For Safety

If you’ve had your trampoline for a few years, then you need to make sure that you are getting out and checking it as summer begins. While trampolines already present a fairly decent safety risk to your kids, having parts that are broken or that are going to break can lead to even more serious injury. It’s not too hard to check your trampoline, so make sure you spend a few minutes and do it.

There are five primary locations on your trampoline that you should check, depending on what type of trampoline you have and the parts that are included on it. For example, if you have a trampoline that is dug into the ground, you’re unlikely to have a net that keeps kids from flying off the trampoline easily.

For every trampoline, you need to check that the main trampoline mat is still in good condition and safe for your kids to jump on. Look over the entire trampoline for any holes that may be coming into it. Look along the edges closely for where the stitching may be coming apart such that a hole will appear there. The last thing you want is your child jumping up and down, only to come down hard through the trampoline on to the ground. If you find any holes or places where the stitching is coming apart, then order a replacement mat. The exact mat is going to depend on the size of your trampoline and the model.

Another part that every trampoline will have is springs. You need to check that the springs are still in good shape - they aren’t too pulled out (still very springy) and they aren’t rusted out. A spring popping off of the trampoline at the wrong time can cause serious damage or injury. Make sure that your springs are all in good condition. Again, order replacement springs if you need.

The third part that will be on every trampoline is the primary frame. The frame is a critical part of keeping the trampoline pulled tight. It’s also one of the easiest parts to overlook as you believe it will simply hold up. However, you need to make sure that the frame isn’t bending even though this is unlikely. More importantly, if your frame is rusting out, you need to make sure it’s still sturdy and can hold that force that it’s going to take. Frames are much more likely to rust out in a tramp that is dug in when not properly buried. If your frame is going, you’ll likely need to buy a new trampoline completely, but you can check for replacements.

Most trampolines should also have a spring cover. This will cover the springs to help shield them from the weather, help keep kids from falling through them, and simply be an additional safety for your kids. Make sure that the cover is still in good shape and there are no holes in it. In particular, pay close attention to the cover where your kids get on and off the trampoline - you don’t want a kid falling through while getting off - it hurts. Buy a replacement pad if you need.

Finally, a safety net is highly recommended for any trampoline that sits above the ground. It’s way too easy for kids to go flying off of a trampoline when they are playing on it. With a safety net, kids are far less likely to get injured - they’re not going to be jumping off of the trampoline, and if someone does fall they are far less likely to fall off. Rather they’ll fall into the safety net. Check the net to make sure it’s still firmly secured, the stitching isn’t coming undone, and that it will keep your kids safe. Buy a replacement safety net if you need.

Keeping your kids safe on the trampoline should be a top priority. Take a few minutes each year to make sure that all of your parts are still in good condition, and replace the parts that aren’t as needed.