Backyard trampoline - any real life experiences??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics instructor here (and former competitive trampolinist): we will never have a backyard trampoline. And when people ask me about them, I tell them they should never get them. Terrible idea.

This. Pediatrician told us the same thing. (When my kids were interested, he discussed the types of injuries one might get from them. They walked out NOT wanting one...which is what I'd hoped.)

+1

Our pediatrician also asks families as a matter of course whether they have trampolines and strongly advises against them.

And it even came up at our dentist's office once. The dentist and hygienist were chatting about how they see injuries where kids end up flying into the trampoline netting face-first, then catching teeth in the netting and pulling out or loosening teeth. They said parents never picture that as a possible risk but they've seen those injuries several times.

Also, OP, even if your insurance is OK with a trampoline, check with your town or county and your insurance company about whether you need to put up a fence so it can't be accessed by someone just walking onto your property. I would wonder if, for liability purposes, you might need to fence it as people do with pools.

[Anonymous]

Plus

kids love it and it makes them really tired

Minus

Long term neck and spine injuries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics instructor here (and former competitive trampolinist): we will never have a backyard trampoline. And when people ask me about them, I tell them they should never get them. Terrible idea.

This. Pediatrician told us the same thing. (When my kids were interested, he discussed the types of injuries one might get from them. They walked out NOT wanting one...which is what I'd hoped.)

+1

Our pediatrician also asks families as a matter of course whether they have trampolines and strongly advises against them.

And it even came up at our dentist's office once. The dentist and hygienist were chatting about how they see injuries where kids end up flying into the trampoline netting face-first, then catching teeth in the netting and pulling out or loosening teeth. They said parents never picture that as a possible risk but they've seen those injuries several times.

Also, OP, even if your insurance is OK with a trampoline, check with your town or county and your insurance company about whether you need to put up a fence so it can't be accessed by someone just walking onto your property. I would wonder if, for liability purposes, you might need to fence it as people do with pools.

Does your ped also advise against joining cheer or football?

[Anonymous]

my first and last experience on a trampoline was a sprained ankle.

no personal injury attorneys have one at their homes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics instructor here (and former competitive trampolinist): we will never have a backyard trampoline. And when people ask me about them, I tell them they should never get them. Terrible idea.

This. Pediatrician told us the same thing. (When my kids were interested, he discussed the types of injuries one might get from them. They walked out NOT wanting one...which is what I'd hoped.)

+1

Our pediatrician also asks families as a matter of course whether they have trampolines and strongly advises against them.

And it even came up at our dentist's office once. The dentist and hygienist were chatting about how they see injuries where kids end up flying into the trampoline netting face-first, then catching teeth in the netting and pulling out or loosening teeth. They said parents never picture that as a possible risk but they've seen those injuries several times.

Also, OP, even if your insurance is OK with a trampoline, check with your town or county and your insurance company about whether you need to put up a fence so it can't be accessed by someone just walking onto your property. I would wonder if, for liability purposes, you might need to fence it as people do with pools.

Does your ped also advise against joining cheer or football?

In football, one wears a helmet and padding. In cheerleading, one competes on padded mats.

Thankfully, there are nets nowadays on trampolines. But to say there aren't injuries would be a lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plus

kids love it and it makes them really tired

Minus

Long term neck and spine injuries

Yeah, like football, softball, baseball, lax & cheer. I'm a little worried about carpal tunnel with piano, too.

[Anonymous]

The trampoline owners (who have yet to encounter a serious injury) are obviously going to tell you they are amazing!

The (former) trampoline owners who've had serious injuries will tell you to run!

It's up to you to decide OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics instructor here (and former competitive trampolinist): we will never have a backyard trampoline. And when people ask me about them, I tell them they should never get them. Terrible idea.

This. Pediatrician told us the same thing. (When my kids were interested, he discussed the types of injuries one might get from them. They walked out NOT wanting one...which is what I'd hoped.)

+1

Our pediatrician also asks families as a matter of course whether they have trampolines and strongly advises against them.

And it even came up at our dentist's office once. The dentist and hygienist were chatting about how they see injuries where kids end up flying into the trampoline netting face-first, then catching teeth in the netting and pulling out or loosening teeth. They said parents never picture that as a possible risk but they've seen those injuries several times.

Also, OP, even if your insurance is OK with a trampoline, check with your town or county and your insurance company about whether you need to put up a fence so it can't be accessed by someone just walking onto your property. I would wonder if, for liability purposes, you might need to fence it as people do with pools.

All of the injury warnings seem legitimate and thoughtful but then...this warning to check with your town to see if you need a fence around it??!

[Anonymous]

Broke my friend's ankle on it graduation weekend! Oops, we weren't even going high but she came down at the wrong time I guess and her ankle folded and then I bounced it, who knows I just remember it was awkward because her parents were absolutely furious with ME like I took a bat to her ankle and basically said she bore no responsibility. This was also at her home!

Anyway, my SIL who is an ED doc rarely gives advice or anything but the only thing she said was "never get a trampoline"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics instructor here (and former competitive trampolinist): we will never have a backyard trampoline. And when people ask me about them, I tell them they should never get them. Terrible idea.

This. Pediatrician told us the same thing. (When my kids were interested, he discussed the types of injuries one might get from them. They walked out NOT wanting one...which is what I'd hoped.)

+1

Our pediatrician also asks families as a matter of course whether they have trampolines and strongly advises against them.

And it even came up at our dentist's office once. The dentist and hygienist were chatting about how they see injuries where kids end up flying into the trampoline netting face-first, then catching teeth in the netting and pulling out or loosening teeth. They said parents never picture that as a possible risk but they've seen those injuries several times.

Also, OP, even if your insurance is OK with a trampoline, check with your town or county and your insurance company about whether you need to put up a fence so it can't be accessed by someone just walking onto your property. I would wonder if, for liability purposes, you might need to fence it as people do with pools.

Does your ped also advise against joining cheer or football?

Um, lots do. My kids won't be strapping on football pads, not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Best $450 I ever spent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way too many injuries:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.spineuniverse.com/amp/3649

And then you look at the higher injury rates of playing soccer, baseball and basketball then look at the rate in injury for playgrounds and riding a bike.

Home in bubble wrap for your kid?

You raise your kid and I raise mine. How about that? I wouldn't get one or allow a trampoline. My DD ended up at the dr's from neck strain after using one. Our friend's son broke his arm and needed surgery to set it. He was off his travel soccer team (where he'd never been injured) for months.

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/medical-costs/most-dangerous-sports-for-children/

Soccer injuries (more of them FYI) are up 19%.

Trampoline injuries down 13%.

Of course raise your own children -- but at least have some facts and not base decisions on alternative facts.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond, especially those with personal experiences. I was expecting a robust debate from DCUM and you all did not disappoint. I'm honestly still not sure what we will do but I'm leaning towards keeping it, getting a net, and enforcing a one-kid-at-a-time rule.