At What Age is it Safe for Children to Use a Trampoline?

The best trampolines offer hours of fun for children and adults alike, but they can also be dangerous if you’ve not yet met the height, weight, and age requirements for using one. If you have children and are contemplating purchasing a trampoline for your home, it’s important to know at what age children can start using trampolines safely.

Wait Until a Child Is 6 Years Old Before Allowing Him or Her on a Trampoline

According to the American College of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics, six is the recommended age requirement for jumping on trampolines. The reason for this is that children under six years of age have fragile bones that cannot handle the pressure of repetitive jumping. Injuries can range from fractured forearms to head injuries that require immediate surgery to attend to brain injury. Organs and the spine can also be injured in children under six who jump on trampolines.

Once a child reaches six years of age, it’s recommended that he or she undergo a medical check-up and receive permission from his or her pediatrician to jump on a trampoline. A medical check-up can inform parents if there are any medical conditions that will worsen from repetitive impact on the bones and joints. Finally, once your child receives the green light from his or her doctor, make sure that you always supervise your child when playing on a trampoline.

How to Maximize Safety on a Trampoline

If your child is six years of age or older, you should still take safety precautions when allowing him or her to jump on a trampoline.

The first thing you’ll want to do is review the instructions that came with the trampoline, which should include safety precautions that should be taken seriously. You may also want to come up with your own list of rules for the trampoline. For example, you may not want your children doing summersaults or flips on a trampoline, as these can be dangerous and potentially lead to injury. Depending on how rowdy your children are, it may be best to only allow one child on the trampoline at a time in order to reduce the temptation for horseplay.

You may also not want to allow jewelry or shoes on a trampoline, as both could lead to injury in the case of an accident. Clothes with drawstrings can also pose a potential threat and should not be worn on trampolines. Additionally, training your children to land at the center of the trampoline is a good idea, as doing this will lessen the chances of a child falling off the trampoline.

As far as the actual safety of the trampoline itself, make sure to regularly check your trampoline’s conditions to make sure that all of its features are intact and in good condition. This can include the springs, net, and base poles. If your trampoline has a ladder, you may want to remove it when the trampoline is not in use to prevent toddlers from climbing up and jumping on the trampoline while unsupervised.

You always want to play it safe when you’re purchasing a trampoline, so make sure that you pick out a product that comes from a reputable company. Most trampolines will come with a warranty, which is useful should any of the materials on your trampoline start to wear out and need replacement.

Additionally, avoid placing your trampoline in an area near sharp or dangerous outdoor objects that could harm somebody if they fall off the trampoline. This includes trees, fences, and light posts. Some people like to purchase large safety nets that can be installed around a trampoline’s circumference to prevent children from falling or bouncing off of the trampoline. Furthermore, safety pads can be purchased and installed over the trampoline’s springs to prevent children from getting hurt by the steel frame, springs, and hooks while playing.

Weather can also play a factor in trampoline safety. A wet or damp trampoline can be extremely slippery, leading to injury. If your trampoline is wet from snow or rain, make sure to completely dry it off before using it. You’ll also want to get into the habit of checking that there are no objects underneath the trampoline, including snow piles, as these can lead to injury. Never store objects beneath a trampoline.

Resources— Babyology, Domi Jump

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