I did trampoline flips as a kid but I was a competitive gymnast, so I had learned under the instruction of a coach. Even now looking back, I probably shouldn’t have been flipping around on an above ground trampoline, which is much different than the long in-ground runway trampolines at a gym.

We do have a trampoline in our backyard but it’s netted and we only allow 2 kids at a time. No flipping or trying to jump/crash into another person. Kids must also be similar ages (e.g. no 4th graders jumping with a K kid). An adult must be supervising and if a parent told me they weren’t ok with their kid using the trampoline we would not use it.

If the friend’s family isn’t going to monitor the trampoline use then I don’t think I’d feel comfortable with my child going over there if I couldn’t trust him to not flip and follow our family’s rules.

Anonymous wrote:For those with family in ER who ban trampolines on account on seeing trampoline-related injuries, do you think that their sample is skewed? I mean if I was an STD doctor and saw nothing but syphilis all day, I too would be tempted to ban my kids from having sex.

NP. My sister is an ER doctor. Her kids compete in downhill skiing, one of them built his own motorcycle, and another built his own bike ramp. She was a pretty firm no on trampolines.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No trampolines. My neighbor's adult son is now paralyzed from going to a trampoline park with his kids.

This is my nightmare. I once read an account of a man who became paralyzed in a tubing accident. It's like I can't "unsee" it.

Tubing like at a ski slope that has a snow tube park?

Anonymous wrote:I am a pediatric ICU nurse, and we have a trampoline. Are they dangerous? Yes, they can be. I am quite strict about it, and 5 years in we have not had any major injuries. Having a trampoline has been a lifesaver for my son during the 7 to 10 year-old "too much energy" stage. My kids absolutely love it.

I am honestly more concerned about religious use of seat belts in the car, helmets when riding bikes, and swimming proficiency.

Also worth mentioning, many homes where I live have trampolines. I think that varies a lot by vicinity.

I too have a background in pediatric nursing, and we had a tramp when the kids were younger. We did have it enclosed with a net. My kids and some of their friends who used it were trained gymnasts, so they were a little more skilled than the average kid. Still, net, one person at a time, no wetting the tramp with a hose, etc. We taught the kids and their friends to land on their butt. I like your idea of getting your son some "training."

I am a pediatric ICU nurse, and we have a trampoline. Are they dangerous? Yes, they can be. I am quite strict about it, and 5 years in we have not had any major injuries. Having a trampoline has been a lifesaver for my son during the 7 to 10 year-old "too much energy" stage. My kids absolutely love it.

I am honestly more concerned about religious use of seat belts in the car, helmets when riding bikes, and swimming proficiency.

Also worth mentioning, many homes where I live have trampolines. I think that varies a lot by vicinity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perceptions of safety are relative. Just came back from Amsterdam where everyone bikes. Saw tons of parents with babies on bikes, sometimes two per. Never saw a single helmet.

Biking in Amsterdam is statistically way safer than in the US. They’ve structured their entire infrastructure around keeping cyclists and pedestrians safe, cars go slower, are not permitted in many places, and are often separated from bike lanes/sidewalks by medians and other barriers.

Cyclists in Amsterdam do not “perceive” themselves as being safer on bikes. They actually are.

First, their bike lanes are not separated from pedestrian lanes by hard barriers. Second, your argument doesn’t explain why kids are made to wear bike helmets in places with no cars.

Well, if people don’t wear bike helmets in Amsterdam that settles it - trampolining is completely safe. Never mind that every ER doc and pediatrician I know forbids it for their own kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perceptions of safety are relative. Just came back from Amsterdam where everyone bikes. Saw tons of parents with babies on bikes, sometimes two per. Never saw a single helmet.

Biking in Amsterdam is statistically way safer than in the US. They’ve structured their entire infrastructure around keeping cyclists and pedestrians safe, cars go slower, are not permitted in many places, and are often separated from bike lanes/sidewalks by medians and other barriers.

Cyclists in Amsterdam do not “perceive” themselves as being safer on bikes. They actually are.

Does that mean you won’t frown on a parent hiking with an infant and no helmet on either in places with no cars?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perceptions of safety are relative. Just came back from Amsterdam where everyone bikes. Saw tons of parents with babies on bikes, sometimes two per. Never saw a single helmet.

Biking in Amsterdam is statistically way safer than in the US. They’ve structured their entire infrastructure around keeping cyclists and pedestrians safe, cars go slower, are not permitted in many places, and are often separated from bike lanes/sidewalks by medians and other barriers.

Cyclists in Amsterdam do not “perceive” themselves as being safer on bikes. They actually are.

Bike helmets have never been marketed as protection mainly from collisions with cars.