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doris
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 5:53pm | IP Logged
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I'm still pondering a trampoline.
For those of you who have one, what are your rules?
I know that the manufacturers say that there should only be one child on at a time. IME, when my dc are at friends' houses, they *always* go on in a group -- that's the fun for them. But I must say it makes me extremely anxious -- and my friend's exhortations that we should trust the guardian angels don't make me feel any better...
The trampolines with enclosures seem a little safer to me, in that at least no-one can fall off -- but maybe that also encourages more recklessness?
Ideas/advice?
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folklaur
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 6:06pm | IP Logged
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doris wrote:
| and my friend's exhortations that we should trust the guardian angels don't make me feel any better... |
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Ack!
We had a big tramp - one of the 16' round ones. We didn't have an enclosure but we were getting ready to buy one before we moved and ended up giving the tramp away (it had been given to us when friends of ours were moving to Jordan - and obviously couldn't ship it.)
We only allowed one jumper at a time...
I would definitely get an enclosure. I never felt I could just send them out to play on it w/o an adult or dd19 watching them...
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snowbabiesmom
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 8:47pm | IP Logged
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We don't have ours up right now due to a move, but while we did, we had strict rules.... Yes we had an enclosure
*Only 2 ( maybe 3) at a time around the same weight.... very important b/c if one child lands while one is still touching or just off the trampoline, you can snap a leg bone... they have to be the same weight.
*No necklaces or balls or toys.. too easy to "accidentally" jump on them
* No flipping
* Absolutely NO jumping if the toddler gets on ( family time)
*I also never allowed the neighborhood children on it. The only time friends got on to jump with my children was if we had "company"( invited friends over) and the parent was present.
*If any one jumped, I made sure the parent know I was not responsible as they were there and the children knew my rules.
Mostly we used the trampoline for exercise for our family. Having a friend on it was a treat... and I always watched them as much as I could.
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Waverley
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 9:00pm | IP Logged
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We have a trampoline and love it. We do have an enclosure that attaches so that a jumper does not come in contact with the springs. At one time, most trampoline injuries occurred when children fell off the trampoline or got caught in the springs.
We allow at most 2 jumpers at a time of about the same weight.
No flips.
No objects on the tramp.
We do allow them to draw on the trampoline with sidewalk chalk but the chalk must be off the trampoline before anyone jumps.
I allow more on the trampoline if they are playing a non-jumping game.
No one under the trampoline - ever.
An adult must be present at all times.
A child must ask permission before they ever get on.
I think that's all. I sound like a tyrant don't I. 
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 9:22pm | IP Logged
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We do not have one, but you might want to check your insurance as to your liability should someone outside your family be injured. It would be awful if someone just helped themselves to the trampoline, got hurt, and you were stuck with the bill! (I mention it since I have no idea what your yard and neighborhood are like, but I can see it happening around here  ) I don't know what the legality is even should you verbally let an adult know you claim no responsibility since they are present.
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LucyP
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| Posted: Jan 28 2009 at 3:22am | IP Logged
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My sister has one, and to be honest there have been three adults, our 5yo and our baby on there - but sensible gentle bouncing, not acrobatic jumping.
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Maddie
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| Posted: Jan 28 2009 at 6:41am | IP Logged
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You have already received some good ideas but I'll just add I don't allow them to have any candy, food, or gum in their mouth while jumping.
No matter what they say, chickens do NOT like to bounce on the tramp. No animals on the tramp.
We made the mistake once of putting the tramp in jumping distance of a tree. We made the rule of course that you can't jump from anything onto the tramp.
No jumping after it's rained, they must wait until the tramp has dried.
No jumping up and landing on your back, I let them land on their bottom, but I don't like when they jump up and land spread eagle on the tramp.
No jumping off the tramp, use the ladder or sit and ease off.
I let all my kids sit in a circle when the baby is on and they just watch her bounce and protect her from falling. She is such great entertainment! No one is allowed to jump with her on.
When the rules are violated with the tramp I come down hard and take away privileges for a week at a time, just to make my point. They hardly ever disobey our rules or try anymore fancy stuff.
If you get the tramp the rules will come very quickly!
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Shari in NY
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| Posted: Jan 28 2009 at 7:53am | IP Logged
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Maddie wrote:
.
No matter what they say, chickens do NOT like to bounce on the tramp.
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They don't like swimming in the pool either!
Seriously, with 4 boys I have never allowed a tramp. I really feel the risks outway the fun. And I go so far as not to allow them on friends' tramps unless I am there.
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Vanna
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| Posted: Jan 30 2009 at 12:25pm | IP Logged
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We don't have one. My husband say NO in a big way. He used to work at a hospital and said that he couldn't believe how many head, neck, arm and leg injuries that came in due to trampolines.
I think they are fun and that my oldest would use it responsibly...but my youngest is who keeps me from purchasing it. He is the kind of kid who from the time he could crawl was a total thrill-seeker. Within 5 minutes of getting his new bike, he was trying to pull it up on the picnic table to see if he could "jump it off". I have no doubt a trampoline would only be fun for 5 minutes...then he would have to ramp up the excitement. Sigh.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Trampoline safety
