Are Trampolines With Nets Safe? Dangers Of Not Using Them

Trampoline nets and enclosures as safety barriers

Trampolines can be a dangerous activity, especially for kids. However, there are precautions you can take to make it a fun and safe family recreation.

In fact, there are so many benefits to using a trampoline. Anyways, one of the most commonly used safety equipment is a trampoline net, but are trampolines with nets safe?

Yes, trampolines with safety nets are safer than those without. Safety nets are able to keep the jumper within the confines of a trampoline and not fall off, which can cause injuries such as sprains. They should be used in conjunction with other safety precautions to make the activity safe for both children and adults.

In this post, we will discuss the pros and cons of using a trampoline net and whether or not it makes trampolines safe. We will also provide tips for installing a trampoline net safely.

The rise in popularity of trampolines

​​Trampolines are a popular backyard item for children and adults alike. Their popularity is growing, so the number of trampoline injuries is also increasing. Even with safety regulations in place, injuries still occur because of trampoline misuse and improper supervision.

A study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that most trampoline injuries happen when more than one person is jumping on the trampoline at a time. That’s why manufacturers have created systems that limit the number of people who can jump on a trampoline at once.

Trampolines with enclosures have been considered safer than those without enclosures. However, there are still some safety concerns parents should take into consideration before purchasing a trampoline for their children or themselves.

The dangers of trampolines: How common are trampoline accidents?

Many people think that trampolines are safe because kids have been using them for decades. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a report indicating that there are over 100,000 injuries each year associated with trampolines.

According to the agency, almost 75 percent of injuries were fractures or strains.

The most common injuries occurred when the jumper landed on their head or neck. The majority of the injuries occurred with kids between the age of five and 14 years old.

Lacerations and contusions are also common. Fractures have been reported as well. More serious injuries include broken necks and spinal cords, which can lead to paralysis or even death. 

Trampoline safety enclosures help protect jumpers from falling off the edge of the mat or getting hurt by the springs.

But it’s no guarantee that you won’t get hurt when you’re bouncing around on a trampoline surface, especially if there are multiple people using it at once.

There’s no way to tell where another person might land or what will happen when two people come together on a trampoline mat at high speeds.

Common Trampoline Injuries

Head and neck injuries

The most common trampoline injuries are head and neck injuries, usually resulting from a fall while jumping or landing on the trampoline mat. Serious neck injuries can result in paralysis or death.

Broken bones, dislocation

Limb fractures are also common among trampoline jumpers, especially among children younger than age 6.

Fractures of the wrist, ankle, and lower arm are the most frequent bone injuries suffered by those who use trampolines.

Dislocated shoulders can also occur when someone is jumping on a trampoline and lands on the mat awkwardly — for example, when trying to stop or change direction.

Sprains

Strains of the ligaments, which support the muscles and joints, are another common injury among trampoline users. These sprains often result from bad landings or collisions between jumpers.

Burns, scrapes, and bruises

A friction burn, similar to a rug burn, can result in severe symptoms such as discomfort, swelling, redness, or the removal of the top layer of skin. Learn more about trampoline burns.

How can trampoline nets help improve safety?

Safety nets are a key safety feature for a trampoline since they not only keep children from falling off the trampoline but also prevent them from gaining access to the springs and frame of the trampoline.

While it is true that many injuries happen when children land on the trampoline mat awkwardly, it is important to remember that even more serious injuries can occur when children land off the mat. 

Whether this is because they land on their head or neck, or simply because they fall off onto hard surfaces such as concrete, the result can often be severe injury or even death.

With an enclosure attached to your trampoline, you not only prevent these serious injuries from occurring, but you also provide yourself with peace of mind. 

By enclosing your trampoline in a netting system that your children cannot gain access to, you can then allow them to use their trampoline without having to worry about their safety.

What is a trampoline safety net?

A trampoline safety net is a net that surrounds the outside edge of the mat and prevents people from falling off the trampoline while they’re jumping. They can be made out of nylon or polyester and held in place with vertical support poles and straps.

Safety nets provide an extra measure of protection when used in conjunction with additional safety measures like spring pad covers, ground anchors and padded frames.

Depending on how large your trampoline is, it may have several support poles around the perimeter to which the net will attach.

If your jump mat sits above ground level on legs, then your net will attach to these legs as well as the support poles.

Trampoline safety enclosures are a great way to keep your family safe while enjoying the backyard trampoline, and it does not take long to install one.

Here’s how trampoline safety enclosures work to prevent accidents.

Trampoline safety enclosure features and why they can save children’s lives

The most important feature of a trampoline safety enclosure is its netting, which is made of heavy-duty polyethylene mesh and has foam padding on all sides for added protection.

Enclosures also come with zippered doorways that make it impossible for kids or pets to enter or exit without permission.

1. Allows for clear supervision

When utilizing trampolines, all children must be supervised by an adult.

Safety nets with bigger openings provide a practically unrestricted view from outside the enclosure, allowing parental or adult supervision.

This will allow you to monitor what your children are doing on the trampoline and intervene if they do potentially unsafe maneuvers that could result in injury.

2. Netted enclosure to prevent them from falling off

When leaping on the trampoline, children may lose control. A trampoline safety net is installed to catch the kids and hurl them back onto the bouncy surface or gently lower them into the ground.

The netting is also attached to steel poles that are anchored into the ground so they will not fall over when someone jumps on it.

These poles have padded sleeves for extra protection against impact injuries as well as being UV-resistant so they won’t fade in sunlight or rain like other models do not offer this type of protection for their users.

3. Spread out jumpers

Trampoline safety enclosures encourage jumpers to spread out when they jump because they provide a comfortable barrier that prevents them from plummeting to the ground if they jump too far away from the equipment’s center.

This not only minimizes potential injuries from falling to the ground, but also reduces the risk of jumpers colliding with one another and becoming harmed.

4. Prevent burns and bruises

Trampoline safety nets protect jumpers from bruises and burns caused by slamming against the net.

This is due to the fact that they are composed of a robust and soft synthetic UV resistant material that will protect the skin of the jumpers.

How do you stay safe on a trampoline? 

• Be sure you buy one with a net enclosure. The net enclosure, or safety net, surrounds the trampoline and keeps the jumper safe inside of it. Without the net, kids could easily fall off of the trampoline or hurt themselves on it
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for assembly and maintenance. If you don’t follow these instructions, your trampoline could break down or malfunction more quickly than it would otherwise.
• Supervise children while they’re using the trampoline. Trampolines are often used by kids who don’t know how to handle themselves safely yet, so it’s important that parents are around to make sure nothing goes wrong
• Do not let young children attempt any trampoline tricks. For older children, they should only do so with adult supervision
• The surface under and around the trampoline should be soft enough to cushion falls but firm enough to keep jumpers from falling through or getting hurt by hitting an object beneath the surface. Typically, you should place your trampolines over a grassy area, while some homeowners put them in the ground
• The enclosure netting should be free of tears and gaps to prevent entanglement and injury
• Trampolines should never be used near water or other objects that can cause drownings or injuries
• Trampolines should not be used by more than one person at a time
• Jumpers should remove all jewelry and clothing with drawstrings before they get on the trampoline
• Don’t jump on a trampoline if you have a health problem. Jumping on a trampoline puts stress on the body and can cause injuries to the spine, hips, and knees. If you have osteoporosis, arthritis, or joint problems it’s best to avoid jumping on a trampoline. Also, avoid jumping on a trampoline if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease. Get the nod from your doctor first
• If you want to use the trampoline while pregnant, it would be wise to check with your doctor first. Trampoline is a great exercise for pregnant mums, but do pose a danger particularly as you get further along

Are Trampolines Too Dangerous for Kids?

The fact is that there are risks involved when it comes to kids and trampolines, and pretty much everything else.

That’s why parents need to make an educated decision when deciding if it’s worth having one in their backyard.

Personally, I think that owning a trampoline is one of the best investments I have in my backyard and I know my kids had so much fun growing up around them.

To mitigate the risk issue, you need to commit to taking safety precautions seriously.

If you are unable to do so, a trampoline might not be the best recreational tool for you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it a law to have a net around a trampoline?

It’s not a federal law to have netting around your trampoline, but it is recommended. You should check with your local authorities to be sure.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC recommends using a net to enclose your trampoline on all sides — not just the sides where people could fall off. Trampolines should be placed away from hazards like fences, trees, buildings, and other structures, and you should never place them on asphalt or concrete.

If you’re looking for a complete trampoline safety ensemble, you can also get padding to go around the springs and frame, as well as covers for the springs themselves.

Also, some insurance companies will require you to install a safety enclosure if you own a trampoline. This is very much so to reduce the amount of risks while using one.

How much clearance do you need around a trampoline?

Trampolines come in many sizes, from rebounders that you can use indoors to massive 16-foot trampolines that are used outdoors.

While you seek out a trampoline for your home, it is important to know how much clearing you need in order to determine whether a trampoline fits.

As a general rule, you should have:

• 5 foot ( about 1.5m) of lateral clearance
• 20 foot (about 19.5m) of vertical clearance

Needless to say, you should not place your trampoline near potential hazards such as fences, planters, tools etc.

Should trampoline nets be inside or outside springs?

A safety net that attaches outside of the springs is recommended. We understand that this may seem counterintuitive to those who are afraid of being injured by the springs themselves.

A safety net attached inside the springs, on the other hand, poses extra safety risks.

When bouncers leap into the net, they risk colliding with the frame and springs rather than being directed back to the mat.

Furthermore, putting the net outside the spring pad allows youngsters to utilize the spring pad as a resting place and to trade off who is bouncing without having to leave the trampoline when there are numerous jumpers.

What are the safest trampolines for children?

Here are 2 options that you can consider. My group of friends and I swear by these 2 brands and have personally owned and used them for several years.

Not only are they safe to use, they are also made of high-quality materials that ensured durability and reliability.

If you are searching for the safest trampolines, here would be a good start. The first is from Springfree, widely considered the manufacturer of the safest trampolines around the world. It does come with a hefty price tag though.

The second would be from Skywalker, one of our favorite brands of trampolines that are well made and reasonably priced.

Be sure to click through to find the best prices as they often go on sale.