Trampolining can be a fun and healthy experience if all the safety rules are followed properly. An increase in the use of trampolines around the world by people of all age groups has resulted in an increasing number of trampoline related accidents.

People are apprehensive about purchasing a trampoline because of the risks involved. However, using the necessary safety measure will ensure that kids and adults are both well protected and out of harm?s way.

There are various safety devices that can be used with the trampoline to prevent any accidents. Unlike safety nets and enclosures that are bought separately as accessories, trampoline padding is a standard part of all trampolines.

A majority of trampoline related accidents occur when the jumper collides with the exposed frame or springs. This can result in scratches, bruises and even fractures. Trampoline padding is used as a protective covering to enclose the metal frame of the trampoline. The pads are available for trampolines of all shapes and sizes, whether rectangular, square, round or octagonal. The pads not only enclose the metal frame but also the exposed springs and hooks. A good trampoline padding is made of high-density, closed-cell foam. This makes the pad shock absorbent. The pads are also resistant to moisture and mildew. A good quality pad might be more expensive than a budget purchase, but it will definitely provide greater protection and will not lose shape easily.

Trampoline padding is not restricted to the metal frame. Floor pads are also available and are used to reduce the chances of injury in the event of a person falling off the trampoline. Pads are also available for the metal support bars of a trampoline safety net or enclosure.

A few basic measures can be undertaken to ensure the longevity of the trampoline padding. Strong cleaning chemicals should be kept away from the pads. The pads should not be tied too tightly to avoid tearing. Lastly, pets should be kept away from the pads at all cost.

The first thing to consider is price and budget. We recommend you don’t make this the primary issue as a trampoline needs to be as safe as possible for your children. Why go for a cheaper option that may not be as safe as one of the more expensive models. You really do get what you pay for with trampolines.

A trampoline is made up of several different components first the steel frame, the surround padding, black matting that is used to actually bounce on. Finally the feature that has become standard with most trampolines the safety netting.

Trampoline frame - frames are main of stainless steel and come in many different thickness’s always check the thickness plus see if a guarantee is given on the lifetime of the frame. Another factor is the number of the legs the frame provides. You will tend to find the cheaper trampolines frame will not be as thick plus will have a smaller number of legs.

Trampoline surround padding - These tend to come in many different colours and thickness’s. Again you will find the thicker the padding then the more expensive the trampoline. Usually made from a polymer material this will be weather proof and provide good safety for children who potential fall on it. You will see some trampolines the padding is more important than others as some padding isn’t in a position to be landed on. The padding is sometime out of the edge of the trampoline enclosure.

Trampoline Enclosures - Take a look at the netting used as when something breaks nine times out of ten it will be the safety enclosure. The chances of this ripping are high so make sure children don’t wear any clothing that might cause any rips. Also make sure they take there shoes off.

In today’s hyper media state, where every day we see kids kidnapped and worse, parents would, perhaps understandably, would rather keep their kids in their back garden when they are outside. This is partly the reason why trampolines are becoming a large feature, both figuratively and literally, in our back gardens. Although it is occasionally an eyesore if picked poorly, they do provide parents with an opportunity to keep a closer eye on their children when they are out playing.

Trampolines however are quite dangerous in their own right and there are 100s of hospital admissions every year from kids injuring themselves on trampolines. The very nature of the devices, kids bouncing unnaturally high in the air within close proximity to each other makes accidents almost a dead certainty. There is however things we can do to not only reduce the accidents, but also when they do happen, make them result in fewer injuries.

We want to make them safe, at the same time as still allowing them to be as fun as they are. The first and most obvious 2 are padding and a net. The padding round the side of the trampoline mat make a slightly safer place for a kid to land, rather than bare springs and a metal frame. You need to ensure they are good quality pads, to ensure they are capable of protecting your kids. The nets not only may catch your children if they accidentally bounce too far, at a very basic level, they also give your children a sense of distance to the edge of the trampoline, which may be less apparent when you are bouncing around.

Other things you can do is ensure that your kids take jewellery, glasses and shoes off and anything else hard that my cause injury in a collision with another kid. It is also a good idea, for young kids at least, for them to be supervised by an adult at all times. Overly elaborate jumping and bouncing should be kept to a minimum. Although this is half the fun of a trampoline, it should be done in a reasonable manor to avoid injury. Lastly, you can keep the trampoline in good working order. Keep an eye out for broken springs, bent frame work and keep the trampoline out of the weather with one of a large selection of trampoline covers.