Purchase
- Ensure that the model comes with safety pads that completely cover the springs, hooks and the frame. Our specification confirms this aspect. The pad should be a contrasting colour to the mat.
- Consider models that have safety netting as part of the design, or purchase a safety enclosure when you buy the trampoline this will reduce the chance of users falling of the trampoline and hitting the ground.
Positioning
- Choose a clear area, which is free from hazards such as trees, fences, washing lines, poles or other outdoor play equipment. Ideally there should be a safe fall zone completely around the trampoline of at least 2.5 metres. This should also include bikes, skateboards and other mobile toys that could be a hazard.
- Place the trampoline on soft energy absorbing ground (i.e. soft and springy lawn or bark wood chip, sand or cushioning materials).
- Never place the trampoline on a hard surface (i.e. concrete, hard packed mud) without some form of crash matting or safety netting.
- If small children are present, never leave the ladder against the trampoline, it provides easy, unsupervised access.
Before using the trampoline
- Set rules for using the trampoline (see below) and discuss them with your children.
- Tell your children about the risks of not following these rules and using the trampoline properly
- Have your children remove jewellery, necklaces and clothing that may catch. Inspect the trampoline before each use to make there are no holes or the frame has not become damaged. Also check the padding is correctly and securely positioned.
Using the trampoline
- Never allow more than one person on the trampoline at the same time.
- Children under 6 must only use trampolines designed for their age range and size, trampolines are not suitable for very young children and toddlers.
- Always supervise children.
- No somersaults - go to a properly organised club if you want to try more complicated moves.
- Never allow the use of bouncing to exit the trampoline.
Rules for children
- One child at a time, at all times.
- No somersaults! Don’t try risky stunts like flips and somersaults
- Always bounce in the middle of the trampoline
- Never jump off! You could hurt yourself by jumping off the trampoline onto the ground. To get off, stop bouncing and then climb down.
- Stand back! Keep away from the trampoline when someone else is jumping and "spot" for any jumping errors
- Watch out underneath! Never go under the trampoline when someone else is jumping.
- Out of bounds! Don’t use the trampoline if you see a rip or split in the mat, or if the padding has come away from the metal springs. Tell an adult.
