Trampolines are huge fun and they seem to be as popular in the first decade of the 21st Century as hula-hoops were in the 1950s.

A great way of providing exercise and fresh air for minded children and, with the cost of trampolines falling in recent years; they are becoming more and more popular with childminders.

Sadly, however, trampoline-related injuries to children are on the increase – in a recent BBC report, the Royal Berkshire Hospital revealed that they only treated one child in 2001 for a trampoline-related fracture, yet a mere two years later, an over ten-fold increase in trampoline-related childhood fractures was dealt with by the hospital … a trend which continues, not just in Berkshire but all over the country.

With the upsurge in popularity of trampolines and the related increase in child injuries as a result of trampolining, Ofsted Inspectors are paying close attention to the safe use of trampolines in childcare settings and, since early May 2005, at least seventeen Norfolk Childminders are known to have been advised by Ofsted to introduce safety policies and procedures relating to the use of trampolines for minded children.

Unfortunately, however, it isn’t always that easy to formulate a safety policy or to introduce safe procedures, especially if you don’t necessarily know what is or isn’t safe. Indeed, even the leisure industry itself doesn’t seem too certain as to what is or isn’t safe, with the British Safety Standard BS EN 13219: 2001 Trampolines covering professional trampolines but, at the time of writing, there isn’t a single British Standard to cover what is or isn’t safe with the smaller trampolines we might use in our gardens.

In an attempt to help, we’ve looked at various sources, including RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - www.rospa.com), the SafeKids website - www.safekids.co.uk, manufacturers and even the Consumer Safety people in the States of Jersey Government and have compiled the following advice which we hope might prove useful:

On deciding to buy a trampoline

• ALWAYS buy a reputable make from a reputable source, never be tempted to buy a cheap trampoline from, for example, someone you don’t know, at a car-boot sale.
• Make sure the trampoline is guaranteed.
• Models with safety pads that cover all springs, hooks and the frame are best.
• Make sure you can safely fit the trampoline into your setting (Almost exclusively, the trampoline will be used outside, make sure that you have room to fit it in safely BEFORE buying it – a 2 metre square trampoline will require almost fifty square metres of space, if you include the recommended RoSPA safety zone)

Where to place your trampoline

• It must be away from other features, such as swings, slides, Wendy-houses, trees and shrubs, walls and fences, the house, shed etc. (When considering trees etc also ensure that no one can bounce up into an overhanging branch).
• It must be placed on a level surface.
• A 'safe fall zone' of at least 2.5 metres should be around the outside of the trampoline, so keep this area clear.
• Ideally, it is best to create a pit for the trampoline to sit in, so the canvas is at ground level, but – generally – this isn’t always possible.
• The next safest way of using a trampoline for children is to fit it with a safety net “cage”, which is designed to prevent a child from bouncing off. When you buy a trampoline, ensure you get the appropriate safety cage.
• If you cannot build a pit, you should place the trampoline on a soft “energy absorbing” ground – in other words, a lawn that is nice and soft and springy, or sand, bark or other materials that produce a cushioning effect.
• Never place a trampoline on any hard surface without having safety netting or crash mats in place. (This applies also indoors, if you are fortunate enough to have somewhere large enough for indoor trampolining).
• The trampoline should always ONLY be used with adult supervision and you need to ensure that no one can use it unsupervised. (Some safety net “cages” also act as a means of preventing unauthorised access to the trampoline).

Pre-trampolining checks

• Ensure the trampoline is properly dry before use.
• Ensure that all springs are covered by the frame pads.
• Check under the frame pads to ensure that all hooks are attached to the bed and are all pointing downwards.
• Always double-check that there are no objects under or near the trampoline (In the excitement of the promise of a trampolining session, it’s very easy for a tricycle to suddenly end up “abandoned” underneath the trampoline).

Trampoline safety

• Ensure minded children know the risks of not using the trampoline properly – a set of simple, yet comprehensive “rules” should be available to them and they should learn them, just as they should learn an evacuation procedure.
• Only one person should be using the trampoline at any one time. (Once again, safety-net cages can be very useful for controlling who goes on the trampoline and when).
• Before and after each use, check there is no damage to the trampoline and that the leg braces are locked in place – if it is at all damaged, don’t use it.
• All jewellery, watches, necklaces etc should be removed prior to using the trampoline and long hair should be tied back.
• You may want to consider having the children wear thick socks, as well as long-sleeved tops and tracksuit bottoms to reduce the possibility of friction burns – though, obviously, in hot weather, it may be counterproductive to dress children exercising in such clothing.
• If you do not have a safety net, make sure there are enough responsible people standing close to the trampoline frame ready to deflect the jumper if they lose control. But, keep other children “bystanders” clear of the trampoline – small people standing around near the trampoline could be hurt if a jumper loses control.
• Always make sure children bounce in the centre of the trampoline. (There is often a cross imprinted on the surface of the trampoline at its centre).
• Teach children what to do if they lose control – it isn’t easy, at first, to bounce standing up; it is much better for young children to bounce using their hands and knees (as if making a table shape) rather than just using their knees. Once children have mastered the art of bouncing whilst standing up, it is still a good idea to teach them how to control their bouncing safely if they start to lose control – sitting down in the centre of the trampoline may be a good option – they will continue to bounce for a little while, but – unless you are Tigger - it is very difficult to bounce on your bottom.
• Make sure children always stop bouncing before trying to get off - bouncing must not be allowed as a way of dismounting from the trampoline.
• Never allow children to try advanced moves like somersaults – if children want to learn how to do these, they should take proper lessons from a professional or go to an organised club.
• Children should only be allowed to use trampolines designed for their age range.

and, finally, RoSPA recommend that:

• “A ladder should not be used for getting onto or off the trampoline.

  If they cannot easily climb on or off themselves, children should be assisted on or off. If they find it too easy to climb on or off the trampoline, it might be worthwhile checking if they have “outgrown” the trampoline.
  (A ladder should not be used as it might encourage/enable children to access the trampoline without supervision).

Insurance Cover for trampolining

The NCMA Public Liability Insurance Policy does cover trampolining but they advise that this is an activity that should be risk assessed and that permission is received from the parents for the children to use the childminders trampoline.

According to their website, Morton Michel Childminder Insurance automatically covers for:

• Use of trampolines, climbing frames and garden swimming pools in accordance with policy conditions and those policy conditions include:
· Manufacturers or suppliers guidelines/instructions for the use of any equipment including inflatable play equipment (such as 'bouncy castles' and the like) and trampolines must be complied with at all times
· Use of a trampoline to be restricted to one child at any time.

All Childminders are advised that they should check with their Insurers as to:

• Whether or not the Insurers classify trampolining as “a hazardous sport”
  and also as to:
  · whether or not their standard Childminding Insurance cover includes trampolining (whether or not it is classified as “a hazardous sport”)
  or
  · if they should take out additional insurance specifically for children using the trampoline.

Remember that trampolines are great fun and are a good way of providing exercise for children, but they should be used sensibly, with all safety precautions adhered to and proper insurance cover for their use.

Happy and safe bouncing!