When deciding what is the safest trampoline for kids there are several things you need to consider, especially with so many brands available.
There are a variety of factors that contribute to the safest trampoline in 2021.
It’s an important subject, as Product Safety Australia report more than 3,000 trampoline-related injuries to occur in Australia every year.
At Vuly Play, we’ve come up with the ultimate checklist of features to ensure you know exactly what to look for and what to avoid to keep your kids safe on trampolines.
This checklist includes:
- Type of trampoline springs
- Safety padding
- Frame quality
- Safety netting
- Shade covering
Let us help you pick the safest trampoline brand possible for your family!
Safest Trampoline Springs
The type of springs used by a trampoline plays an essential role in their functionality. There are two main variants and understanding them is important when looking at trampolines for sale.
Coil Springs
Most kid's trampoline models feature a series of coiled metal springs that line the edge of the trampoline to generate the bounce.
These springs can be a common cause of trampoline injuries without proper precautions. The space between each spring is often wide enough for a leg to fall through. Little fingers and toes can also be caught in the springs, as the coil opens and closes.
While you can't avoid coil springs for many trampolines, there are a number of features to look for when comparing trampoline brands:
- Ensure coil springs are outside the safety net. The biggest injury risk comes from bouncers potentially landing on the exposed springs.
- Look at how well the springs are secured. When each one is hooked between the jump mat and frame there should be zero risks of it popping out during bouncing.
- Make sure that the safety padding is attached to the springs or frame. This will prevent it from slipping off and exposing the springs.
- Check coil springs for rust if buying second-hand. Decay could easily result in coils snapping and breaking
Avoiding Coil Spring Injuries - Use Safer Leaf Springs
You can avoid the safety hazards of coil springs altogether, by purchasing a trampoline using a Leaf Spring system. These trampolines have no coils. Instead, they use refined Leaf Springs positioned underneath the trampoline jump mat. This delivers a superior bounce in total safety.
With the innovative Leaf Spring system, there’s no risk of fingers or toes getting caught or feet slipping through the gaps as they shaped from a single piece of steel. Because these 'springs' are positioned underneath the rim of the jump mat, the trampoline also has a gentle edge that’s always safe to land on.
Vuly’s Thunder and Thunder Pro both use this Leaf Spring system ensuring they are some of the safest trampolines on the market concerning spring injuries.
Safety Padding
When shopping trampolines with coil springs, safety padding is an absolute must. Safety padding, secured around the frame, covers the springs and the hard metal frame – preventing any rim or spring hazards.
Keep in mind that some padding can get worn out over time, with the sun, rain and wind compromising its quality. Most high-quality padding is made from vinyl, which is thick, durable and long-lasting.
For an extra level of durability, you can even opt for reversible, double-sided safety padding. The allows the lifespan to be twice as long as traditional padding. Also check is that the safety padding is a contrasting colour to that of the trampoline mat. This helps define the edge of the mat more clearly for bouncers.
Frame Quality
One of the major differences between trampolines is their frames. A quality frame is critical whether it's a trampoline, kid's swing set, monkey bars or any other outdoor play equipment.
Here are some things you need to consider:
Rectangular vs Circular Trampolines
When deciding between a circle or rectangle-shaped frame, keep in mind that traditional rectangular trampolines tend to have a greater risk of falling over – especially if you place more weight on one end.
The risk of a trampoline falling over reduces greatly when that trampoline is round as it's a shape that's naturally more stable.
Composition
When choosing your trampoline, you will also want to check what the frame is made of. The trampoline frame should be sturdy and able to withstand the elements, such as rain and sun. Trampolines with a galvanised and heat-treated frame will stand the test of time, maintaining their strength for years to come. Frames with a powder coating are superior at defending against rust in the long term.
Edge
If you choose a trampoline with a Leaf Spring system, you need not worry about the frame at all! These trampolines have gentle edges that are further enclosed by safety netting.
If you’re worried about any potential harm that could result from a steel frame, the Leaf Spring system fundamentally removes this risk.
Safety Netting
Another cause of injury is bouncing off the trampoline itself.
A safety net, secured around the perimeter of the trampoline alleviates this safety concern. Safety netting should extend nice and tall – allowing kids to bounce high and not vault over the side. The netting should be sturdy enough for your children to bounce from edge to edge without causing the whole trampoline to topple over.
The safest trampolines also have their netting secured around the inner rim of the springs. This means there will be no contact with the springs or the frame at all while bouncing. Despite having padding and netting on top of your trampoline, kids are bound to try crawling underneath This risks their little fingers getting caught in springs or injury from other children bouncing on top of them.
That’s why skirt netting is also available, which you can secure around the trampoline to keep kids and pets from crawling under and getting hurt.
We also offer free skirt netting when you purchase a Vuly Thunder or Thunder Pro!
Safety Ladder
There are many accessories you can buy to create the safest trampoline possible, and a ladder should be at the very top of your list. The jump mats of most trampolines are elevated high off the ground, meaning it can take some effort to get on or off the trampoline – particularly for small children. To overcome this, adding a ladder allows kids to climb aboard the trampoline safely. It’s always best to shop for a ladder that’s made to match the trampoline you're buying. That way, you can securely attach the ladder to the frame of your trampoline – reducing the risk of the ladder falling over.
Shade Cover - Trampoline Sun Safety
When kids use their trampoline for the very first time, they’ll probably want to jump on it all day, every day. If they’re outside in the sun for too long, there is the risk of sunburn or even heat stroke. Trampoline shade covers are available for this very reason. They keep children sheltered from the sun while playing outdoors on their new favourite toy.
Safest Trampoline For Kids
These are the features you need to look for when buying a safe trampoline in 2019. If you want to avoid hunting around for trampoline brands with all the safety features you're looking for, take a look at Vuly Play trampolines instead!
At Vuly, we’re proud to create trampolines with superior safety features. From safety mats and safety netting to gentle edge trampolines – you can shop with 100% confidence with Vuly Play.
Sources
Product Safety Australia – www.productsafety.gov.au