Trampoline Dilemma

Hi,

Trampolines can be dangerous... what toy isnt? I agree with the arguement.
I try not to listen to this radio station because it's really, just...well terrible, but this morning I happened to catch some lady say " I think trampolines are great! As long as there is only one child at a time" ...c'mon....that sounds like it comes from someone who has filed down all the corners in the house to avoid accidents, possibly hands out helmets at the door so no hurts themselves. Kids will make any toy dangerous...If you take away the trampoline all they will do is find something more creative to hurt themselves with....a net is a nice safety feature but please...its time we let kids be kids and stop turning them into social-phobic loners by the time they are 30.

My parents wouldn't buy a trampoline when i was younger for the same reasons. My friend did have one though, and we used to spend all day on it. It was so much fun! We even used to "camp out" and would sleep out on it sometimes. I did have an accident on one... I bounced right off and cracked my tail bone. Now coming from a person who had seen great times, and suffered horribly on this trampoline... I still say get one! Kids get hurt... it happens. They can just as easily get hurt riding bikes, or on a swing, or climbing trees. we know we cant PREVENT them from getting hurt. And even though that was the worst injury of my life, I got right back on after healing! Like I said, my friends and I had the greatest times on that thing... and more than protecting your kids from boo-boo's, don't you want to give them that?

I was as you were afraid of my kids getting hurt. I researched trampolines and dangers and safe practices. I bought a unique trampline offered at Costco ($1200). There is no steal bar around it (for kids to fall on) and it has tight netting. It is made of fibreglass underneath.

We have firm rules on it, so if you're not ready to enforce them or take the time to watch the kids I would say not to go for it. We allow 2-3 kids on at time- in similiar size and weight. Most dangers have been taken away with this trampoline design accept for kids running into eachother or landing improperly. My kids are only 7 and 8 so might be harder to control with teens.

If neighbourhood kids want on I must speak with their parent to ensure they are okay with it. I think it is more dangerous to let your kids go freely on other trampolines without knowledge of how they handle it at their household.

Buy a good quality desinged trampline and enforce rules for kids if you do decide to buy. Nothing is 100% safe.

I agree it's a real personal parent decision.

Good luck!

I'm with you on this one. I avoided buying a trampoline for the kids as well. They have enjoyed the activity at friend's houses, and that seems to have been enough. No injuries to date, but there's still time! Bottom line is that we all make our own decisions as parents, and you need to be comfortable with yours. My brother has a trampoline with a safety net around the whole thing - at least makes flying off impossible.