Would You Buy a Trampoline ?

We have one and the kids love it. I had one growing up and loved it and no one every broke anything. I landed the wrong way and knocked the wind out of myself a few times -but that's no biggie. Ours doesn't have the "safety net" or anything.

I say that we're raising a generation of kids who aren't going to have any cool scars or stories to tell when they grow up! People wonder why there are so many chubby little whiny wusses. If they want a trampoline -enjoy! Same for roller skates, skateboards, bikes, swimming pools, etc.

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It's so funny, but I HEAR people say horrible things about trampoline's, but I have never met ONE person who has one that has hurt themselves on it (or had a child's friend hurt themselves). I guess it goes like anything else, if you use it properly, you're fine, same with riding a bike.

Heck YEAH I would get a trampoline! When my girls were young I bought a small exercise one for INSIDE the house, it was awesome! When they start asking about a big one, heck yeah we'll get one. I think they're a great way to get the kids outside and active! The last time *I* was on a trampoline, my husband had to drag me off, they're fun ;)

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We have had ours for 6 years now. We bought it for a combined 1st and 3rd birthday gift...those two are now turning 7 and 9! The safety net broke when the last hurricane came through, and that was right when the cold weather was coming. I'm ordering a new one SOON.

Our kids love it, our neighbor kids love it, everyone loves it.

I've never met anyone hurt on one, but I know they can be dangerous. However, my kids don't get on it if my husband or I are not outside with them - and then we monitor them. Parenting goes a long way in keep kids safe :).

Updated

We have had ours for 6 years now. We bought it for a combined 1st and 3rd birthday gift...those two are now turning 7 and 9! The safety net broke when the last hurricane came through, and that was right when the cold weather was coming. I'm ordering a new one SOON.

Our kids love it, our neighbor kids love it, everyone loves it.

I've never met anyone hurt on one, but I know they can be dangerous. However, my kids don't get on it if my husband or I are not outside with them - and then we monitor them. Parenting goes a long way in keep kids safe :).

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Actually they are that horrible and account for quite a few minor and serious injuries every year. The American Academy of Pediatrics position statement is NO trampolines in homes or on playgrounds and only professionally supervised use in gymnastics and diving programs. And never before age 6. Sorry - way more dangerous (on a statistical basis) than riding your bike with a helmet. Also check with your insurance company - your homeowner's policy may cancel you. If you decide to get one and you are planning to allow other kids than yours to use it - I would definitely make sure you have a LARGE umbrella policy. Spinal injuries are expensive and your best friend will sue your insurance company (she won't see it as suing you) if her child has gigantic medical and rehabilitation bills.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trampoline-exercise/AN01570

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I'm an insurance agent and have to tell you that its a question on ALL insurance companies homeowners applications. They will usually decline you if you have one OR they will raise their premium. They are a HUGE liability for you if someone is injured and you are sued. That being said, my own 9 yo son is BEGGING us for one!!! And since he's ADHD, I could see how this would really benefit him to get his wiggles out. However, our yard is taken up with the pool and dog pen so we don't have room for one. If we can ever get to the point that we can buy a home again, and the yard is big enough, I probably will get one of the big ones with the full nets around it. BUT, I will not let any neighborhood kids play on it. So just be aware of the whole insurance issue...good luck!!!

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I grew up in AZ (Phx suburb) and 2 neighbors had trampolines. They lasted for years and years. I LOVED trampolines and still do. It's such good exercise. I would suggest having a fence if possible so neighbor kids can't use it w/o your permission.

I think trampolines are especially appropriate for warm climates like AZ where they can be used for much of the year. We used to use the hose to spray ourselves & trampoline in summer, but even w/o that, we didn't care that it was hot (it's a dry heat!! lol)

Speaking of safety, childhood obesity is not safe or healthy! The only injury I'm aware of occurred when a one year old (!!) was left on the trampoline unattended, and fell off and broke his arm. Much safer than pools (although I love swimming too). You're making me miss AZ . . .

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We bought one last year and it was a great purchase! Our youngest, in particular, loves it and uses it almost daily. Anytime the kids have friends over, they want to use it. Definitely glad we got one.

We have one with a safety net. Knock on wood, no injuries here, and don't know anyone who's had injuries. It's like bicycles, I'm sure. Safe product, but sometimes accidents happen.

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You'll get the horror stories, etc... BLAH you can get hurt walking across the street, riding a bike, swingin on a swingset.... it is all relative

I grew up with a trampoline, no safety net in my day and LOVED every minute of it. My brother and I had a blast.

We had one for our daughter for several years until she was about 14 and stopped using it, then we sold it on craigslist.

The only thing I did was make sure anyone who was jumping on it follow my house rules. That said, anyone at my house follows my house rules or they are asked to leave.

Trampolines can be a lot of fun, just be careful same as you would if you are rollerblading, jogging, etc.

Most every yeard in our neighborhood has a trampoline. I have yet in the 11 yrs we've been here see or hear of an injury from a trampoline. I have seen broken arms due to skateboarding.

ETA: make sure you know whomever is on the trampoline well. Some people are just sue happy and use any reason whatsoever to sue people and get $$ if they know you have a special policy.

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I work at a small elementary school - less than 150 kids. That said, we had one little boy that was on a trampoline at mom's house (parents are divorced) and fell off and broke his arm in multiple places.

My son is an injury waiting to happen (he has no fear!), so, personally, I would not have a trampoline.

If it's just going to be your 2 kids on it, and they can play together or separately without all the daredevil antics (that I know my son would try), then go for it! I had a friend that had one and her kids loved it and played on it for years with no injuries, and she has 3 very rowdy boys!

Our two grandchildren have a trampoline. Matter of fact they just got their second one. Both trampolines had a net all the way around. They play more on it then they did the swing set. They got their first one two years ago when they were 7 & 8. They do the same; only have one friend over at a time. The only time more people are on it at one time is when their three cousins come over. They have been lucky I guess as they've not had one accident on it. N. P

We got one when SD was 13. They still use it. Now DD jumps on it (supervised and it's more like she takes big space man steps). We have the net. It's about 4 years old now and we've never bothered to take it down in winter. We have rules, like no more than 2 jumpers at a time and no horseplay. SD also likes to go out there on nice summer nights and just stargaze. We had one twisted ankle, but that was a teenager who tripped over herself getting off the trampoline. No broken bones here. The broken elbow kid was the one who did the flying dismount off a swing (and ironically she's a gymnast). She's fine. Apparently that is a common injury for dismounts like that.

I'm not saying trampolines are foolproof, but I think under supervision and with rules, kids can enjoy them without broken bones or faces.

We had one for 6 years. We had to throw it away this summer because 5 of the springs on one side broke.

We had the safety net on ours.. that allowed them to be more crazy and would roll or jump into the net. It was actually more dangerous with it on, because they were more rowdy in it. After the first summer and 3 boys... the net was broke. We didn't replace it and in 5 years net free we only had one injury on it during that time. That was me trying to do a front flip and I landed wrong on my wrist... go figure. My kids sure got a heck of a laugh from it though ;)

We never had anyone else hurt on it. We had alot of kids over that played on it also pretty much daily. There was the occasional someone got kicked but other than that nothing. Nobody ever fell off or onto the springs. It was a great investment that I think was well worth the money... they definatly got enough use out of it to pay for itself more than once.

we have one and my 9 yr old LOVES it. The kid in me would love to jump on that thing. :) , but I'm too big for it. It has a safety net all around. I don't allow more than one child to jump on it at a time. My husband has even spent the night outside on the trampoline with the boys. It makes them feel like they're camping without sleeping on the ground I guess. Let the kids have fun! Give them direction, guidance, and let them be.....they're only kids once.

We got ours when my almost 13 year old was 3 for occupational therapy. Every now and then they still jump on it but my daughters now use it to lay on and tan in the summer. :p I have wanted to get rid of it for three years but still find uses for the darn thing so it remains.

haven't read any responses, but check with your homeowner's beforehand, they are more strict on trampolines than pools if that gives you any idea of the safety risk! many won't insure you, some will require a $1million+ umbrella policy.

@belinda h - it's always handy to lie to your insurance until someone gets hurt on the trampoline and you find out that due to the omission of fact, YOU are personally liable for the $$$$ in medical bills/punitive damages(well, your insurance may pony up to the victim, then your insurance company will sue you, as well as prob being considered someone uninsurable for the forseeable future) rather than looking for a company that will insure you for a few extra per month... that's playing with fire. i know i don't have several million laying around in my checkbook, that's why i pay the extra for a large umbrella policy due to my pool...

I would be scared somebody would get hurt. Like the neighbor kids when I wasnt home. Bad idea for me.

Our friends have had theirs for about the past 5 years, they also bought it to replace the outgrown swing set.
Their kids are now 13, 15 and 17 and they STILL play on it. My daughter (also 13) loves going over there!
As far as safety goes, yes it has a net, and the mom is a pediatrician, so obviously she has no professional safety concerns. If our lot was not so sloped we would have gotten one years ago.

Absolutely not! There are way too many injuries from trampolines just talk to any ER doctor and you might change your mind.

If I had a spare $1000 I'd buy one in a heartbeat! I know exactly which one I would looooooove to have.

My son has been using one in gymnastics for 6 years. I used one in gymnastics, and then later for skating/diving to work on rotations. Like ANY kind of sporting equipment they can be dangerous if used improperly, are cheaply made, or through sheer bad luck. That's why all sports have you sign 'injury, maiming, and death' waivers.

http://www.trampolinesafety.com/

We have one with the safety net. We love it. Our kids our 17, 7 and 3 and they all use it. Heck, I even use it! It's great exercise :)
We have had ours for 4 years. The trampoline itself has held up well but the safety netting has torn away from the straps that tie it up on the bars. We've had to make some adjustments.

Yes they are dangerous and yes they are a liability. That said - if you don't think you'll have a bunch of your kids friends on it - then it's up to you.

For the record - my sister - when she was 11 - fell off a friends trampoline and broke her elbow. It was a nightmare (poor drs treatment) and she ended up having to have multiple surgeries and our insurance company sued the parent's insurance company.

It wrecked havoc on my sister since her friend no longer wanted to be friends with her due to lawsuit (not anything my parents could control) and made her life hell for a whole school year.

so yes - people get hurt on them and the risks are not overplayed.

We have one, have since last October. Updated and paid the extra on our insurance. It has the net, and is ranked high in safety (you definitely get what you pay for, ours was $1,200). It has been worth EVERY PENNY! Our kids go out and jump (supervised) almost every day. It is a great way for them to release their energy. If friends come over with their kids, we don't allow them to jump without parent permission and their supervision. Yes, accidents can happen, but we chose to accept the potential risks, and it has been totally worth it.

I agree they're so much fun (we used to have one) but I also agree that your homeowners insurance will go up :( ... Also EVERY time my daughter would jump on it I'd get so scared because I would hear all sorts of things popping! LOL ... now that she's older (almost 10) I think I would get one again....maybe. Depending on what my homeowners insurance said.

We have one and they are great fun! Yes, you can get hurt on them but do can kicking a ball around. I would check with your homeowners insurance most of the time they will not insure you if you have a trampoline. That is if they found out!:)

We had one. It lasted a good long time - at least a decade. 2 sets of kids played on it and loved it. So did I! The tarp finally started getting brittle and it popped a few springs, so now we are about to buy a new tarp.

We got a trampoline over the summer with the safety net and all. My kids love it. No accidents so far, but like others have said they have a good chance of falling off their bike and breaking an arm too, so its all relative on the danger scale if you use some safety measures. We also got new home owners insurance over the summer. Wasn't a big deal, slight bump on the costs but no big deal. Be sure to tell them it is new and has a safety net, etc. Best of luck!

My neices have one and they love it, all the kids use it when we are over there, they are all cheerleaders so it is great help. I think with proper rules and supervision they are fine, but yes there is always risk and your homeowner's insurance WILL go up and if you do not tell them you have one they can and will drop you.

I always wanted a trampoline - really what kid doesnt? And when I was a teeneager I bugged and begged and bugged some more and finally we ended up with one in the backyard. At the time I thought it was the best Birthday gift in the world. Before the end of that summer I wanted that thing gone. It truly was a death trap. We didnt have the net but that wasnt the problem. Every single person that got on that thing ended up with an injury. There was a smashed face, a bruised up everything, cut lips, black eyes, you name it. And I always felt like my poor insides were rearranged after each use. I started using it as a tanning bed after all the excitement wore off and by the end of the summer when we packed it up there was HUGE dead patch of grass in the backyard - Needless to say that thing was sold that winter
To ones own but it really was not what I expected

yep ... had one ... LOVED it. got rid of it when the frame rusted at joints. when we had it my kids played on it ALL THE TIME. It's great exercise.

Ours did have the net around it to help prevent falls.

We have a really old one that we got from our youngest son's previous babysitter. It's so old that it can't be fitted for a net, but it's super-huge, and the kids know not to jump near the edges. We've had it for about 4 years, and both boys (7 and 14) use it all the time.

Our boys are very calm, and they are natural rule followers. They do jump on it, but often they just relax on it and talk. It has been so much fun to watch them bond through the years, just talking out on the trampoline. They go out there every evening. Usually they will jump for awhile (one at a time), and then chat for an hour.

We have a strict rule of only one person jumping at a time. This seems to help prevent injuries, and we haven't had any injuries yet (knock on wood!). We make sure when friends come over that they follow the rules as well.

As for insurance, our insurance company has never asked us about having a trampoline, but we would never lie about having one.

My 5 year old son's best friend has one.. They love it....You might want to check something though, with our house insurance, they would not cover us if we had a trampoline..

We bought one last year. After a while we took the safety net off since it was restricting them getting on and off easily. My girls are 11 and 14 and LOVE going out there to jump. Since they are beginning to grow apart due to ages, it was nice to see they both like the trampoline. And I have used it as well, it is a lot more effort than you think so it is even pretty decent exercise.
We take it apart for the winter and it is now in the basement. We will set it back up in the spring. We just wanted the rubber surface to last and felt being covered in snow or out in sub freezing temps might wear it out sooner. But if I had wild kids I would make sure they followed the "rules" - 1 at a time, no roughhousing, not jumping too high or doing somersaults, etc. The trampoline came with a patch on the frame with the rules.

My friend broke her arm, my brother broke an arm, my cousin broke an arm, and my daughter's friend broke an arm, all on separate occasions, separate trampolines, separate times. Some insurance policies won't cover you if you have one, others will raise their premiums. Be careful because if you let your kids' friends jump on it and they get hurt, then... what?

When I was little I hurt my back on a friend's trampoline and to this day have problems with it.

But I also know many people who have one whose kids use it purposefully and they absolutely love it.

I'm just not willing to take the risk.

Safety nets on the main cause of injuries. The kids get their teeth, fingers, etc...caught in the mesh and they can be ripped out or off.

I googled it and was dead set against them. Hundreds of thousands of kids get seriously injured every year. Some of them even die. From nothing more than falling in the wrong way, not roughhousing or anything. Just an odd landing. They are the most dangerous item a parent can buy for their home/kids. The American Pediatric Association wants to have them banned for home use/sale.

That said, we had one given to us. I am frantic about it and the rules. No one is on it unless I am right there or hubby. Kids are only allowed to bounce, no flips, no other fun stuff.

The saddest story I found while researching them is the one where the mom was standing right there watching her son and he fell. She heard his neck snap, he was dead instantly. There was nothing going on that was questionable. It was just an accident.