I just received an email from a friend of mine, and I felt the need to share.

trampolineI've always known that trampolines were bad news, but this was just more conformation of just that.

This is part of her email:

"I want to ask for some urgent prayers for a dear friend.  Our friend's brother (Lee) was in a freak accident this weekend.  He was jumping on a trampoline with his kids and tried to do a flip or something, but ended up landing on his head and broke his neck.  He was instantly paralyzed.  After doing an MRI, they see that the spinal cord is severely bruised, and he is having slight movement in his extremities. "

This just freaks me out.  This guy was just playing with his kids like all dads do, and he ended up almost completely paralyzed!

When I was little, I always wanted a trampoline.  We never got one.  We did go over to other people's houses, and if they had one, we were on it (I have a sister and brother).  But only for a short time because our parents didn't like us up there.

And we never really understood why -- that is until we got older.

These pieces of equipment are so dangerous.  In the back of my mind I know that you can get seriously hurt on one of these, but I have never known someone to actually get hurt like this.

I've seen the videos of kids getting their legs stuck in the holes between the springs or coming down on someone else on the trampoline, but never this.

I just wanted you all to be aware -- very aware -- that trampolines can be so dangerous.  This man will hopefully regain feeling in his arms and legs and be able to continue life as he knew it before the accident.  So far the doctors are optimistic, but only time will tell.

 

 

43 Comments on Trampolines are not safe

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AUG
13
2007
623,103 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Nicolette: I feel the same way.  It's so easy to get carried away in the thrill of the moment on a trampoline.  It's no big deal until someone gets hurt -- isn't that what our moms used to say?
6:31pm • #24
Yup...It's not something that we can just disregard anymore.  It's better to be safe than sorry...
6:36pm • #25
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Absolutely, Nicolette.  That's a terrific policy to have.
6:39pm • #26
NOV
05
2007
623,103 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Bright: I'm surprised that insurance companies won't let you have them there in Florida.  I know that they can make your homeowner's insurance sky-rocket, but I wasn't aware of not being insured if you had one.  I personally think it's a great policy, but then again I would never get one.
9:15pm • #27
FEB
10
2008

My personal opionion of trampolines is that they are basically safe if you dont try anything stupid. people say you can fall off of them. That is true unless you have a large trampoline with a net which would make it much safer. Also as many others have said just follow the safety instructions and you will be fine. 

I have had a trampoline for Four years and have never had any type of injury. I disobey every rule. I do flips, we dont have a safety net, and we have much more than one person on at a time. I have friends who are the same way and never have had any troubles. Ever since i got a trampoline my physical fitness has improved a incredible amount. In one summer my one mile run time went from 10:30 to 7:30 with nothing but jumping on a trampoline just about every day. I would suggest getting a Jumpsport trampoline because of there long springs which give a soft and responsive bounce. I have the 14ft staged bounce. For safety make sure a trampoline has  long springs so they sink down more. I have landed on my head with my trampoline and had nothing but a small amount of pain.  
josh
4:40pm • #28

What a horrible thing for the family to have to go through.  Glad to hear he can move a little and will hopefully regain use of his extremities. 

That being said, I still think trampolines are fun, but not everyone is coordinated enough to use them.  The rules about how many kids/adults can be on them at one time should be strictly followed. 

The kids in our neighborhood almost all have trampolines in their yard and their favorite game is "crack the nut".  (My son is not allowed to play that game because it is dangerous!)  You have one kid/adult jump in the middle while everyone else is holding themselves in a tight ball.  The first one to come undone (crack) loses.  I've seen many self-inflicted bloody noses and human "balls" bounce right of the trampoline onto whatever is surrounding the trampoline.... (rocks, plant pots, someone even started rolling down the gulley!)

When it's one at a time with people working within their coordination level, it's a great time and good exercise! Reminders to be careful are always good.
5:53pm • #29
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Hi Josh.  Since I've never owned one, I'm not personally familiar with how great they are to exercise on, but I have heard that they are.  Seems like you've had terrific results.
6:51pm • #30
623,103 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Sandra: What a scary game!  I'm sure that the kids just crack up laughing every time they play it, but I just see ER visits in many of their futures!
6:52pm • #31
FEB
11
2008
When we think of "chain saws" or "table saws"?  What comes to mind?  Certainly not young children, and tons of fun.  We think of the safety glasses, the rotary speed capable to removing fingers, arms - or potentially leaving fragments of materials in our eyes.  Before November 3, 2007, I thought of trampolines as something fun, something to play on, something to enjoy.  I am an athlete with years using both a trampoine and many types of diving.  It never crossed my mind as said above something could go terribly wrong.  Well, it did. I broke my survical spinal column between C4-5, and C5-6.  $84,000 dollars later in initial bills the insurance company demined the claim.  In you have American Family Insurance - well, might want to see just how well they treat you.  Because, in my experience your policy isn't worth the paper its written on.
TJ
9:24pm • #32
623,103 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Hi TJ.  Thank you for sharing your experience.  It's horrible that you essentially broke your back.  I sincerely hope that you are on the mend and that things are looking up for you.  You are in my prayers, my friend.
9:35pm • #33
FEB
12
2008
 I can't agree with you more Maria.  We will never own one.  My sister in law bought one for her kids.  There were kids jumping on it even without the lining that covers the springs.  I had to walk away from the sight I was so scared.
1:12pm • #34
We have had several home, and every time we move we buy a new trampoline.  We just moved again and my husband was ready to get another one.  We love them because it keeps the kids busy for hours and they are outside (which is hard to get kids to do these days.  I will have to rethink the trampoline thing now, after reading your blog. Thanks...
1:19pm • #35
623,103 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Tracy: I would have had to walk away, too.  Having no lining on the springs just seems irresponsible on the parents part, in my opinion.
1:31pm • #36
623,103 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Jess: I'm sure that it will be difficult to talk your husband and kids out of their trampoline, so please just be very careful on it!
1:35pm • #37
FEB
13
2008
 We had a trampoline for years and never once did we let our guard down.  I was paranoid the entire time and actually was glad when it was time to get rid of it!  Insurance companies don't like them and most of the attorneys I spoke to said that even with a waiver signed by neighborhood parents, if something happens, you are still liable.
7:35am • #38
623,103 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Sandra: I've also heard that a waiver really wouldn't mean much if someone got hurt on your trampoline.  And insurance companies have been known to either jack a rate up or deny coverage if there is a trampoline on the property.  I've said it before, but we will never own one.
9:31am • #39
i didn't realize it till i got older too.
9:51am • #40
623,103 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Justin: With age comes wisdom, right? :)
11:49am • #41
NOV
09
2010

No one likes tragedy. It is important to teach kids what they should do and what they should not do on trampolines, and it is great way to teach them responsibility.
George
12:05am • #42
OCT
03
2011

I see no problems at all if your tramp has a manufacturers safety net around it and with adult supervision.  Allow only one child at a time on the tramp, without any additional toys while on the tramp.  Never wear shows and never jump when tramp is wet.  Of course finding parents with good common sense and vigilance is nearly impossible these days, they are too busy cashing in their welfare moocher checks getting high on crack and playing indian casino craps while their children are locked in the 135 degree Welfare Caddilac out in the parking lot.
Auntie Killjoy
7:50pm • #43

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