I have a delimma.... I want to get the girls a trampoline for Christmas and I know a few places that have tons in stock.. I want to know if any of y'all have one and if there is a way to level it on a slope like making the legs different lengths or something.. My whole back yard is on a slope.. not a huge one but big enough that it could cause problems...

Also, have any of you had major injuries or problems? And do you suggest one with or without the safety net?

By Reds9298 on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 11:55 am:

I will never own a trampoline. I taught in 2 school systems over 8 years and in that time I knew 2 elementary age children who fell off and were paralyzed. One from the neck down, the other from the waist down. It was absolutely horrible. Neither had a safety net. Even with a safety net, the idea of a trampoline just terrifies me. Seeing those two boys in the hospital, especially the neck-down boy, was tragic. Absolutely no life ahead of a 10 year old. As a result, not a fan of trampolines.

I guess for me, if you are going to get one, I would highly recommend the safety net.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 11:57 am:

Some friends of ours have one and they have the safety net. So, far no one has had any problems with it. They have had it for a few years now. My kids love playing on it.

By Yjja123 on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 12:02 pm:

We have one and have had it for years.
On a slope would be too dangerous--and difficult to jump on.
We only allow one child to jump at a time and they need to stay in the middle area. It is a great source of entertainment for the WHOLE family!

By Tripletmom on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 12:24 pm:

Ditto Reds-we will NEVER own one also.It's all fun until someone gets hurt.My DH is a rehab therapist in the Aquired Brain Injury field and has seen the outcomes of trampoline fun.

By Sandysmom on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 12:44 pm:

Even though it had a safety net, my DD got hurt on a trampoline when her and another kid collided. She is fine but I really don't care for trampolines myself. One suggestion is to get a big one with plenty of space. Good luck.

By Tsa on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 12:46 pm:

We use our trampoline all the time. Must have the safety net. The kids love it, my DH really loves it and I must say it is alot of fun. As long as there are some senseable (sp??) rules I think it is safe. Good exercise, Good fun

By Yjja123 on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 01:46 pm:

Colliding cannot happen when only 1 person jumps at a time. Safety first and you can enjoy a trampoline.

By Kaye on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 04:22 pm:

We got a trampoline about a year ago. I too had heard horrible stories. I am very strict with mine. It has been such a great addition for my children. I would never have one without a safety net. We enforce a one kid a time rule. I will on occasion let my youngest "jump" with a sibling, but only if I am out there and they aren't being mean. Injuries do happen, my kids use it for exercise and they needed that. My youngest needs to have a jump break sometimes just to get out some energy.

As for the slope, I haven't seen one with adjustable legs, is there a way you could level out part of the land, dig out a bit or add some dirt? It does need to be pretty flat. Also note that grass won't really grow under a trampoline.

By Tarable on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 05:36 pm:

Thanks. I think we are going to see how much room we have that isn't very sloped and see if we can get one to fit there. The girls doctor suggested it to get rid of some of their excessive energy.

I know it helped me when I was a kid get rid of a lot of energy and I used it until I was about 16. That is when we had to get rid of it.

By Vicki on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 06:35 pm:

I am amazed that a doctor suggested a trampoline!! My friends dh is an ER doctor and their kids are not allowed on them under any circumstance! I do think there are much safer ways to get out some energy!!

By Justanaunt on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 07:20 pm:

I'm also one that wouldn't own a trampoline. My cousin broke her leg jumping on one and my niece sprang her ankle on one. Even if a child is on it alone, they can still fall down the wrong way and injury their leg/ankle/arm/ect. But for those that do have them, I think it should be require to have a safety net on it. It's just too easy to fall off.

By Annie2 on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 08:38 pm:

We bought one with a safety net for our kids this year. We will strictly enforce the one person on at a time rule.

Actually my dd broke her arm on our neighbor's trampoline a few years ago. There were numerous kids on it at the time, no net and the metal bar around the edge was exposed in some areas. The kids were jumping on it while a sprinkler sprayed them at the same time. She slipped off and broke her arm. With that being said, I think they are safe when used properly.

I have no idea about setting it up on a slope.

By Cocoabutter on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 09:03 pm:

All you have to do is watch Funniest Home Videos and you can see how dangerous they can be. It is your decision in the end, but please be careful.

Alternatives would be involving them in sports or martial arts.

By Breann on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 09:21 pm:

I think that ANYTHING can be dangerous without proper supervision. Bikes are extremely dangerous....lots of kids get hit and killed by cars...bike accidents break all kinds of bones and can cause permanent injuries as well.

We don't have a trampoline at the moment, but we have in the past. We left it at our old house when we moved. We would like to get one again.

A lot of people around here dig holes and put the tramps in the hole so that you can walk right onto/off of it. Is that something you could possibly do in your yard? I haven't ever heard of putting the legs at different levels. I think they are just standard legs.

By Kate on Monday, December 18, 2006 - 10:03 pm:

Wow....what timing....I JUST received an email from a friend telling me her family is in crisis....her ten year old nephew just broke his neck on a trampoline.

I've been opposed to them since my first DD was an infant. Even the Academy of Pediatrics is opposed to them.

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 07:58 am:

I think when the danger comes in, is when people start doing stunts, flips, goofy things, on them. When just jumping, if you have the safety net, then I think the risk is minimal.

We have a trampoline. I would never have one without the safety net, and in fact, refused to buy one till they came out with sturdy ones. We have strict rules. There is absolutely no horsing around, no flips, and no flinging oneself all over the place. It is just too dangerous. You must jump in a way that you know how you will come back down. And you are not allowed to use the safety net to catch you.

We haven't had any problems this way. The kids are very in control in the manner they jump, and they know that the rules are ironclad. I have made both of them get out at times for bending the rules just slightly.

You really have to set standards with trampolines, but with them, I think they are great fun and a wonderful source of exercise.

Kate, I am very sorry about your friend's nephew.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 10:32 am:

DD's friend has a cast on her leg right now, from a fall off of one. She broke her arm on it over the summer. Thinking they need a net or they need to keep her off of it. Two breaks in one year tells me they are miss using it.

I would have to have a net on one I bought and I would set up a safety rules (that would be added to at any time I felt the need) and if they weren't followed it would be gone.

I agree that anything can be dangerous and they need to be taught rules about usage on anything they are given to play with. When I worked for a PED you wouldn't believe the number of game pieces and beads we took out of noses and ears...

Some kids can hurt themselves in a padded room.

Kate, I am also sorry to hear that... Well wishes to the family..