I have a 2 and 4 yr old and I am wondering if I should let my 4yr old's friend jump on the new trampoline. It is a small one for young children, has a net and the coils are covered but I am little worried bc if something were to happen, it is on my property and his friend is a good boy but wild!! I am worried the that the two of them together could be lethal to our new, difficult to assemble, trampoline. I really want to let them jump bc I know they will have soooooo much fun but I don't want to bust the new trampoline or have an accident that I could be liable for. Not to mention that my two year old, who is turning two tomorrow, will want to be in the mix and there is no way I am going to let him go out there with two 4 yr olds! The mom and I both have very young infants, so we can't go out and supervise. What would you do?
you know, thinking on it, since we can't supervise, I am just going to say no. Maybe when our babies are older and we can all go outside together....
Honestly, no. But then we waited unitl the kids were teens to get the trampoline and I always ask the moms if their kids are allowed on it. My youngest is 11, a boy. THe girls are 14 and 16 and just sit on it.
It's just too dangerous for little ones.
Hi J., I'm an insurance agent in AZ. Its a HUGE liability for you. IF you do decide to do it, bump your homeowners insurance liability to at least 500k, if not 1 million. It will only add about $30-40 to your premium for the year. I suggest this to families with pools also. And most insurance companies will rate you up or decline you if they know you have a trampoline on the property, even a small one. Its a question on all the applications. If it were me, I just wouldn't do it. Your kids are VERY young and unless you are out there to supervise every minute, there is way too much risk at someone getting hurt...especially for head injuries. Good luck!
You have to supervise, even your kids. Seriously. Even with a net and coils. Those "safety features" can be deadly if you aren't watching. They are strangulation hazards. Kids can fall in between, get wedged in wierd ways you would never expect. I don't mean to lecture, but as a mom that has owned trampolines for 15yrs, I have seen some crazy stuff nearly happen. Thank God, I'm always there. I mean, it's right out my backdoor and I might be in the kitchen cooking or doing dishes. It's not like life comes to a halt so they can jump, but I am never more than 5 feet away and never out of earshot.
That being said, if the mom says it's ok I will let other kids jump, but only if I have the time to go outside with them.
I think your follow up conclusion is the right decision, however, I'd say that I'd have the mom sign a release in the event you change your mind. I know it's uncomfortable and you can kind of laugh about it and say..."Ok, you're going to laugh at me about this, I'd love to let your son jump on the trampoline but you know, things happen and I just wonder if you wouldn't mind signing a release?" You can find simple release forms online by goggling "liability release form".
I'm curious though...why'd you get a trampoline if your kiddo can't use it??
I wouldn't risk it, especially if you can't be out there with them to supervise.
Discuss it with the other parent.
When growing up we had a tramp and actually I was the first one out of my class to have one. My house was the happening place to be with up to 10 people at a time playing ball tag on the tramp. Now a day it is one person at a time for fear that someone will get hurt and then sued. I would just get consent from the other parent and see how she feels about her child being on the tramp.
simply put, if you cannot supervise adequately, then the answer should be no, regardless of who the child belongs to that is on it (your son or your friend's).
that being said, i think the decision is personal and you should discuss with your friend if she wants her son to jump. if both of you are okay about it, then let the kiddos jump and play - that's why you bought it, right? to be played on?
but i think it also boils down to - if you have to ask, then it's probably not a good idea.
Just a quick side story - when my sister was about 11 she went to a friends house - they all were playing on the trampoline - she fell off and broke her elbow/arm - it was a huge mess. The drs did a terrible job repairing her break and actually caused MORE damage. Long story short - the insurance company (and the family that owned the trampoline) were sued by my parent's insurance company. It was a big problem - my sister had trouble for years with the "friend" cause her family was mad about being sued - and she still has a huge scar on her arm almost 15 years later.
Stay away from trampolines - they are just a liability.
I'd definitely ask the parent's permission. Let them know that you don't want to be held liable if the child is injured.
If you're on good terms with them...you might ask if they have medical insurance. If not...the answer should probably be no.
It really depends on the kids. Maybe you can make it something they can only do if the friend's mom is also visiting, and you two can take turns supervising, while the other one stays in with the babies?
My rule was only one at a time, but only when I was able to supervise (same for diving board, slides, etc. - no standing on the edge or on the stairs). I would never let my kids go play anywhere if I didn't know for sure that the mom was supervising. As the kids got older and more daring, I would talk to the moms about their thoughts on their child's tendency toward injury and see if they were the type to sue. If so, I would have them sign a release (found online).
when my son was that age they were allowed to jump only if there was an adult outside with them keeping an eye. Maybe it is just me but trampolines scare the bejezzus out of me I hate them but my hubby and kids think they are great so we have always had one. I still have a hard time letting my kids ( 9 and 15) jump on ours.
I do but only if I have the parent's permission and it has to come from the parent not the child saying the parent said it was ok. I also have rules for the younger ones, no pushing, no jumping without grown up supervision, etc. And I don't let the older kids and younger/litter kids in together either.
S.
Nope not I~ While growing up our neighbors would let us jump and I sprained my ankle 3 times (five total but three on the neighbors tramp). Another kid had the wind knocked out of him from flipping off and landing on his back on the ground. That was before the "safety" net! Even if you were watching them they still could get hurt. If they are jumping and twist there foot the wrong way , you cant stop it from happening and today ppl are all about lawsuits. its really sad.
