So, why care about trampoline safety? Many have a very narrow opinion of what you can do with a trampoline. Some seem to think it is only a kid's toy that can be used when you're young. Others think that it's a tool for exercise and physical therapy, but not something that can be used recreationally.
It's important to remember that as much as the trampoline has been recommended as a health and weight loss device, it was originally created for entertainment and fun. George Nissan invented the original trampoline back in the 1930's, and he got the idea from watching trapeze artists perform at the circus.
A trampoline can provide huge health benefits for the whole family and hours of fun. They have become more popular in recent years, but with their increased popularity there has come about an increased number of accidents through their use.
According to the royal society for the prevention of accidents approximately 75% of injuries occur when more than one person is on the trampoline with the person weighing less five times more likely to be injured.
Children of a young age are particularly vulnerable to injury. Also unless the child is supervised by a trained 'spotter', adult supervision seems to do little to prevent accidents with about half of all injuries occurring with adult supervision.
Many of these accidents can be reduced by following some simple guidelines.
The most important thing to remember about trampoline parts, whether you're using them for fun or healthy exercise is that you have to use them responsibly.
What to consider when buying
Spending a bit more money on a trampoline and purchasing safety pads and safety nets can greatly reduce the risk of injury.
The first rule that you need to establish when you set up your mini rebounder or full sized recreational trampoline is that it should never be used by more than one person at a time.
You can imagine that when there are several bodies on the trampoline at once, the rebounding motion will be heavily compounded, and it could result in someone being accidentally launched off the platform.
Another reason that you should only jump with one person at a time is that it will increase the wear and tear on the trampoline springs.
Outdoor trampolines must have the trampoline mat, springs, pads, and any enclosures inspected before each time that you use it. Rain, sunlight, wind and dirt can cause these metal parts to erode and become damaged, and if you jump with compromised parts, you're likely to get an injury.
A good safety enclosure or net will cover the inside of the outer rail of the trampoline. The outer rail is the circular bar to which trampoline springs are attached. This will not just prevent falls onto the ground but also on the hard outer surface of the trampoline where accidents are common.
Ensure that the tubing used for the trampoline is of adequate thickness to prevent breakages and that the trampoline is not too light weight which may cause it to move around or flip over during use.
Springs and Springless Trampolines
When purchasing a trampoline or replacing springs ensure that the springs are galvanized to prevent corroding. As a general rule the larger the trampoline the more springs a trampoline will require and the longer and thicker the springs should be.
Springless or springfree trampolines use reinforced fibreglass rods or elastic rather then springs. These trampolines are often promoted as safer then trampolines with springs. However because of their design the entire surface rotates each time the user hits the mat. This can cause pain and discomfort and even result in damage to the knees over time.
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