Do you have fond memories of the fun that bouncing away on the trampoline provided as a kid? If you do, you might also have some stories of injuries that happened while playing on or near the trampoline, or maybe even some scars of your own to show.

Trampolines are a great way for children to have fun, exercise and develop their coordination skills. However, they are also involved in a large number of child injuries. Every year, thousands of Australian children are injured when using trampolines, with kids under 5 at greatest risk. Common injuries include cuts, sprains, fractures, bruises and head injuries.

The good news is that there are some simple tips you can follow to reduce the risk of injury to your child when they are on or near a trampoline.

1. Supervision

Supervising children when they are on or near the trampoline is the best way to help keep them safe. Kids often like to hide or play underneath the trampoline, so it’s important to keep them away when it is in use.

It’s also a good idea to set some rules for your children when using the trampoline – bare feet only, no bouncing against the net and do not use when wet are good rules to set early on.

2. Safety padding

Safety padding is important as it protects children from injury if they fall and hit the metal frame or springs of the trampoline.

3. Regularly check the condition of the trampoline

Trampolines often sit out in the open, which means that they are exposed to the rain, hail, wind and sunshine. They are also a favourite piece of equipment that get a lot of use, which makes it important to regularly check to ensure that everything is in good condition, including that the:

• Mat and net don’t have any holes
• Springs are intact and securely attached at both ends
• Frame is not bent
• Leg braces are locked.

4. Set up the trampoline in a safe spot

A lot of trampoline related injuries happen when a child is getting off of the trampoline, or when children bounce into objects that are near the trampoline. To help reduce the risk of injury, make sure:

• The area around the trampoline is free from hazards like walls, fences or garden furniture
• There is a thick layer of soft, impact-absorbing material – for example pine bark or wood chips – at least 2.5 metres wide in the area under and around the trampoline.
• There is plenty of room overhead (at least 8 metres from ground level is recommended) to avoid children bouncing into objects like clotheslines, trees and wires.

By following some of these simple tips, you can help to ensure that your child has endless hours of safe bouncing fun!

For more information, tips and advice on trampoline safety please visit the websites below:

https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/trampoline-safety-its-flippin-important

https://www.choice.com.au/babies-and-kids/children-and-safety/toys-and-safety-at-play/buying-guides/trampoline