other kids and trampoline

[Anonymous]

We live in a small neighborhood and yards are only partially fenced, so kids run through from time to time. Trying to think things through before actually getting one. If you have an outdoor trampoline, how do you keep neighborhood kids off it when you're not home? Not asking out of selfishness, but seems like it could be a liability?

[Anonymous]

Mine has a lock that came with it, although we have a fenced in property and don't need to use it.

[Anonymous]

My kids used to go to a neighbor's yard when they were younger and jump on their trampoline a lot. I'm pretty sure the neighbors didn't care. Eventually one kid (not mine) got hurt. He was standing next to the trampoline when another kid bounced right off and landed on him and broke his collar bone. Not a bad injury really but his parents decided to file a claim on the trampoline owner's insurance. When the insurance company got the claim they canceled the homeowner's insurance. They got rid of the trampoline after that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids used to go to a neighbor's yard when they were younger and jump on their trampoline a lot. I'm pretty sure the neighbors didn't care. Eventually one kid (not mine) got hurt. He was standing next to the trampoline when another kid bounced right off and landed on him and broke his collar bone. Not a bad injury really but his parents decided to file a claim on the trampoline owner's insurance. When the insurance company got the claim they canceled the homeowner's insurance. They got rid of the trampoline after that.

Me again. Forgot to say that the kids in the neighborhood all went there when the homeowner's weren't home. I did not know my kids were doing that until later and I'd say neither did most of the other parents. I was glad when they got rid of the trampoline.

[Anonymous]

Couple of warning shots does the trick. Or my Doberman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids used to go to a neighbor's yard when they were younger and jump on their trampoline a lot. I'm pretty sure the neighbors didn't care. Eventually one kid (not mine) got hurt. He was standing next to the trampoline when another kid bounced right off and landed on him and broke his collar bone. Not a bad injury really but his parents decided to file a claim on the trampoline owner's insurance. When the insurance company got the claim they canceled the homeowner's insurance. They got rid of the trampoline after that.

Me again. Forgot to say that the kids in the neighborhood all went there when the homeowner's weren't home. I did not know my kids were doing that until later and I'd say neither did most of the other parents. I was glad when they got rid of the trampoline.

OP, listen to this PP above, please.

Even if kids or adults are trespassing on your property, there without permission, there when you're not home -- you are still legally liable if someone gets hurt on your property in many jurisdictions. Check your local regulations. Again: You might be liable even if the person who gets hurt is trespassing at the time he's hurt on your property.

I too have heard over the years about insurers canceling policies over trampolines. Look up the concept of an "attractive nuisance." That's the term the insurance company will use.

If you still want to do this you need to research the heck out of it; tell your insurance company and see if they say they will not insure you (don't bank on their being OK if you "forget" to tell them and there later is a claim); check all your local laws and regulations to see if you are required to spend big money on appropriate fencing etc. Standard yard fencing is likely not high enough or secured enough to mitigate liability. Same as with a pool--many people do not realize that their regular fencing is not going to cut it legally if they install an attractive nuisance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Couple of warning shots does the trick. Or my Doberman.

Lol.

OP here. We have two German Shepherds who would just lick the kids and probably try to jump on the trampoline with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids used to go to a neighbor's yard when they were younger and jump on their trampoline a lot. I'm pretty sure the neighbors didn't care. Eventually one kid (not mine) got hurt. He was standing next to the trampoline when another kid bounced right off and landed on him and broke his collar bone. Not a bad injury really but his parents decided to file a claim on the trampoline owner's insurance. When the insurance company got the claim they canceled the homeowner's insurance. They got rid of the trampoline after that.

Me again. Forgot to say that the kids in the neighborhood all went there when the homeowner's weren't home. I did not know my kids were doing that until later and I'd say neither did most of the other parents. I was glad when they got rid of the trampoline.

OP, listen to this PP above, please.

Even if kids or adults are trespassing on your property, there without permission, there when you're not home -- you are still legally liable if someone gets hurt on your property in many jurisdictions. Check your local regulations. Again: You might be liable even if the person who gets hurt is trespassing at the time he's hurt on your property.

I too have heard over the years about insurers canceling policies over trampolines. Look up the concept of an "attractive nuisance." That's the term the insurance company will use.

If you still want to do this you need to research the heck out of it; tell your insurance company and see if they say they will not insure you (don't bank on their being OK if you "forget" to tell them and there later is a claim); check all your local laws and regulations to see if you are required to spend big money on appropriate fencing etc. Standard yard fencing is likely not high enough or secured enough to mitigate liability. Same as with a pool--many people do not realize that their regular fencing is not going to cut it legally if they install an attractive nuisance.

\
OP here. This info is all super helpful - thank you.

[Anonymous]

We got one. We tell them they can't come on without asking. Even then its one family at at time. I flirted with the idea of requiring them to wipe it down after each family's turn (which I don't think is really needed) just as a deterrent.

[Anonymous]

OP, some of your neighbors will think a lot less of you.

[Anonymous]

One thing OP is that I think so many families got trampolines recently the novelty is somewhat diminished. Half the kids in our neighborhood have one.

[Anonymous]

Our yard is fully fenced. Nobody is allowed on our property when we're not home. And when we are home they're only allowed if we invited them.

Our rule, and our kids know this, is only one kid can jump at a time. We've had a trampoline forever 15 years and no broken bones or lawsuits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, some of your neighbors will think a lot less of you.

Huh?