Stay Safe when Using a Trampoline

While trampolining is a serious sport, many people – adults and kids alike – enjoy bouncing on a trampoline in their own back yard for fun. Trampolines can be dangerous, however. To stay safe when using a trampoline, you must first take care to ensure your trampoline is installed correctly. Make sure anyone using the trampoline observes basic precautions, and check the trampoline regularly for damage.

Steps

Installing Your Trampoline

1. Place your trampoline in a flat, open area. The ideal location for your trampoline is one out in the open, away from any trees or objects that you might hit while jumping. You also should keep the ground clear for several feet around the trampoline.
   • Removing any objects within {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of the trampoline in all directions.
   • The ground under and around the trampoline should be as level as possible to keep people from jumping too high or causing the trampoline itself to flip over.
2. Cover metal edges and hooks with pads. Invest in a trampoline that comes with safety pads, or find safety pads that will fit the trampoline you want right away. Hitting the metal edge of the trampoline frame is one of the easiest ways to get hurt.
   • Without pads, your feet also can get caught between the springs of the trampoline, causing injury. Safety pads prevent this.
   • It's best if the color of the cover contrasts sharply with the color of the frame. This way you can easily see if the cover has been disturbed.
3. Enclose the trampoline with safety nets. The safety net keeps someone from being bounced off the trampoline onto the ground, or from hitting the metal parts of the frame while they are jumping.
   • Make sure the net is high enough that people will not routinely jump higher than the top of the net. You may need to get a higher net if there will be larger adults using the trampoline who are able to jump higher than children.
   • Don't extend the net to cover the space under the trampoline. Otherwise you may have difficulty keeping the area under the trampoline clear.
4. Use soft material around the trampoline. If you have soft, spongy grass in your backyard, you don't have to worry about lining the ground around the trampoline with anything else. However, you should never place a trampoline on a hard ground surface such as concrete.
   • Look for sand or wood chips. Any material commonly used around playground equipment can also be used around a backyard trampoline.
   • The purpose of this material is to prevent serious injury if someone should fall off the trampoline onto the ground.

Using Your Trampoline

1. Check the surface of the mat. Before anyone uses the trampoline, make sure the mat is in good condition and doesn't have any rips or tears. It also should be completely dry. Wet spots on the surface of the mat can be slick and cause jumpers to lose their footing.
   • If you live in an area that gets snow in the winter, you may want to take your trampoline down during the winter months and store it somewhere more protected. This will protect the mat from the elements.
2. Remove jewelry before jumping. Before you start jumping, make sure you're not wearing anything that could get caught or tangled while you're jumping. Simple jewelry that seems harmless may become a nuisance when you start jumping.
   • In addition to jewelry, avoid hanging drawstrings or other objects on your clothing. Your pants should be short enough that you won't get your feet tangled in them.
   • Remove everything from your pockets, otherwise it will fly out when you start jumping and could cause injury.
3. Check for objects under the trampoline. Any objects under the trampoline can interrupt your bounce, causing you to stumble. To stay safe when using your trampoline, remove any objects stored underneath.
   • There also is a risk that sharp objects underneath the trampoline could damage or puncture your mat.
4. Always land in the center. Your trampoline should have a circle or bull's-eye mark at the center. When you're jumping, the center is the safest place for you to land. This is where you'll get the most predictable bounce from the trampoline.
   • When you're jumping too close to the edge, you run the risk of being bounced out of the trampoline, onto the metal frame or out onto the ground.
5. Avoid dangerous stunts. You may have seen videos on the internet of people doing amazing stunts on their backyard trampoline. Enjoy the videos, but don't try anything you see on your own trampoline if you want to stay safe.
   • Also stay away from gymnastics moves, such as somersaults or flips, unless you have training and know how to do them properly.
6. Take turns. Even on larger trampolines, the best way to stay safe is to make sure that only one person is using the trampoline at a time. When several people are jumping at the same time, they run the risk of collision.
   • The more people are jumping on a trampoline, the further out to the edge people have to jump. When only one person uses the trampoline at a time, everyone can jump at the center.
   • If you have several kids who want to use the trampoline, set a timer and give each of them the same length of time to use the apparatus.
   • Make sure kids on trampolines have adult supervision. Even if you are an adult, it's best to have someone else with you when you use your trampoline, to act as a spotter in case you misstep.
7. Use the trampoline ladder. Most trampolines have a ladder for you to use when you enter and leave the trampoline surface. Bouncing and flipping dismounts are a good way to get injured on the trampoline.
   • Remove the ladder and store it safely when the trampoline is not in use. This can help prevent people from getting on the trampoline without your consent.

Maintaining Your Trampoline

1. Tighten bolts before each use. The bolts that secure the springs of your trampoline may loosen up as the trampoline gets repeated use. If all the springs aren't held at the correct tension, your trampoline may malfunction.
   • For example, a loose spring could lead to a "dead spot" on the mat. If you're jumping on the trampoline and then hit that dead spot, you won't get the same degree of bounce that you did elsewhere. The hard landing can lead to leg or ankle injuries.
2. Keep the mat surface dry. A wet trampoline surface can be very dangerous. As you jump, it will become impossible to keep your footing. A trampoline mat may take a few days to dry completely after rain.
   • You may be able to find a cover you can use to protect your mat and keep it dry. If you're using a cover, remove it completely before using the trampoline. You still need to check to make sure the mat is dry, even if you're using a cover.
3. Repair or replace damaged parts. Check your trampoline for damage before anyone uses it. You also want to check it periodically if it hasn't been used in several weeks. If you notice any damage, fix the problem as soon as possible before it gets worse.
   • Your trampoline came with an instruction manual, which should include information on how to repair common problems. Keep a kit nearby that has the basic tools and materials you'll need to complete a repair.
   • You also may want to keep around trampoline mat patches, some extra bolts, and extra springs. Especially if these metal parts are exposed to the elements, you'll want to replace them if they start to show signs of rust.
4. Keep the area around the trampoline clear. Allow there to be a buffer zone extending all the way around your trampoline. Pick up items around the yard on a regular basis, even if no one is using the trampoline at the moment.
   • Getting in the habit of keeping the area clear will make it easier for everyone to stay safe while using the trampoline. If the buffer zone is normally kept clear, you won't forget to remove objects before jumping.

Warnings

• Trampolines and drugs or alcohol don't mix. Stay off your trampoline if you're under the influence in any way, as this can greatly increase your risk of injury.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Do Trampoline Tricks
• Backflip on a Trampoline
• Flip on the Trampoline
• Clean a Trampoline Mat
• Land a Front Flip on the Trampoline
• Set up a Trampoline
• Play Games on a Trampoline