How to Prevent Trampoline Injuries

As the weather begins to warm up, outdoor activities are back on the menu! A trampoline can provide your family with hours of entertainment and physical activity, and let’s be honest — watching your kids laugh and bounce with pure joy is priceless. However, trampoline injuries are more common than parents might think. It’s excellent you’re taking steps to learn about trampoline injury prevention, as it can go a long way in keeping your family airborne and out of the emergency room. 

There are several key ways to keep your children safer while they enjoy their trampoline:

1. Install proper safety netting around the entire perimeter
2. Place protective padding over all springs and hard surfaces
3. Establish and enforce clear rules
4. Keep the trampoline away from trees, fences, and other obstacles
5. Supervise jumping sessions at all times
6. Place the trampoline on level ground

While following these safety measures significantly reduces the risk of trampoline injuries, it’s important to acknowledge that accidents can still happen even with the best precautions in place. 

If your child does experience a trampoline injury, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention at a Complete Care freestanding ER location. We provide excellent and prompt care for the entire family.

For life-threatening situations, please call 911.

How do most trampoline injuries occur?

Most trampoline injuries typically occur in several common scenarios:

• Multiple jumpers using the trampoline simultaneously can often lead to mid-air collisions.
• Falls from the trampoline onto the surrounding ground occur when jumpers bounce too close to the edges or fall through gaps in damaged safety netting. 
• Attempted stunts and acrobatic moves without proper training can lead to serious injuries, particularly when inexperienced jumpers attempt somersaults or backflips.
• Improper landing techniques during regular jumping can cause significant harm, especially to younger children who are still developing their motor skills and spatial awareness.
• Entrapment injuries occur when body parts become caught in the springs or gaps around the trampoline frame, particularly with older equipment or trampolines missing their protective padding.

Understanding how these injuries occur is important for implementing preventative strategies and serves as a reminder of why proper supervision and safety measures are essential. While trampolines can provide wonderful entertainment and exercise for children, they require constant surveillance and proper maintenance to minimize these risks.

Learn more: What to do when you break a bone

6 ways to help prevent trampoline injuries

1. Install proper safety netting around the entire perimeter

Safety netting serves as your first line of defense against one of the most dangerous trampoline scenarios — falling off (or onto) the edge. When properly installed, reaching from the jumping surface to a height of at least 6 feet, netting can prevent jumpers from falling onto hard ground. This is particularly important since falls from trampolines often result in serious injuries like concussions or broken bones that require immediate medical attention at the closest emergency room to you.

Quality netting should be inspected weekly for tears, loose connections, or UV damage. Remember that netting isn’t just about catching falls, it also creates a visual boundary that helps jumpers stay centered on the trampoline. When purchasing netting, look for UV-resistant materials and ensure it’s specifically designed for your trampoline model to guarantee proper fit and maximum protection.

2. Place protective padding over all springs and hard surfaces

The springs and frame of a trampoline pose significant injury risks, as landing on these metal parts can lead to severe impacts and cuts. Proper padding coverage can help prevent injuries like a sprained foot or more serious injuries like a broken collarbone (see our blog about broken collarbone treatment for more information). The padding should be thick enough to absorb impact and securely fastened to prevent shifting during use.

Weather-resistant padding is essential as exposure to sun and rain can cause deterioration. Check the padding regularly for signs of wear, tears, or displacement. Many newer trampoline models feature spring-free designs or completely enclosed spring systems, which offer additional safety benefits by eliminating the risk of spring-related injuries entirely.

3. Establish and enforce clear trampoline safety rules

Creating and consistently enforcing trampoline safety rules is important for preventing injuries. Basic rules can include:

• Children 5 and under should not be allowed on the trampoline
• An adult must be supervising at all times (no adult = no jumping)
• No somersaults or risky tricks
• Only one jumper on the trampoline at a time
• No using the trampoline during wet or windy conditions
• No rough play

According to data, 75% of trampoline injuries stem from multiple children jumping on the trampoline at the same time. While children may protest this restriction because they want to play with their friends, try to explain that this will make sure no one gets hurt and they can all jump safely. Create a rotation system to ensure fair jumping time and maintain order during group play.

4. Keep the trampoline away from trees, fences, and other obstacles

When placing your trampoline, establish what is called a “clear zone.” The trampoline should be placed at least 6 feet away from any obstacles on all sides, including upward, to account for the jumping height. The clear zone prevents jumpers from colliding with branches, fences, or other hazards that could cause serious injury.

Try to consider the path of the sun when positioning your trampoline to prevent one side of the netting and padding from deteriorating faster than the other. Also, be mindful of falling leaves and debris from nearby trees that can make the jumping surface slippery and dangerous.

5. Supervise jumping sessions at all times

Active supervision means having an adult present who is actively watching the children on the trampoline. This supervisor should understand your set trampoline safety rules and be ready to intervene if they observe dangerous behavior. They should also be knowledgeable about first aid and be prepared to recognize signs of serious injuries like concussions that require immediate medical attention.

Be sure to communicate to your children that if there is no adult present, they cannot be on the trampoline because they could get hurt.

6. Place the trampoline on level ground

Uneven ground can cause the trampoline to shift or tilt during use, leading to unpredictable bounces and increased fall risk. The ground should be checked periodically, especially after heavy rains, to ensure it hasn’t shifted or developed dips.

Consider installing your trampoline on impact-absorbing materials like rubber mulch or specialized trampoline pads. These materials can help reduce the force of impact if someone does fall off, despite other safety measures. The entire area under and around the trampoline should be free of rocks, roots, or other hard objects that could cause injury.

What is the most common injury on a trampoline?

While trampoline spinal injuries and trampoline neck injuries often receive the most attention due to their severity, they’re not actually the most frequent type of trampoline injury. The most common injuries occur to the extremities — particularly the legs, ankles, and arms.

Ankle and wrist sprains and strains top the list, typically occurring when jumpers land awkwardly or attempt to catch themselves during a fall. These injuries happen frequently because the intense forces generated during jumping can easily overwhelm joints and ligaments, especially when a person lands off-balance or with improper form.

Fractures represent the second most common category, particularly in the forearms, elbows, and ankles. These often occur when jumpers try to break their fall with outstretched arms or land with their feet turned at an awkward angle. Children between the ages of 5–14 are particularly susceptible to these injuries due to their still-developing bone structure.

When trampoline fun takes an unexpected bounce: Trust Complete Care for expert treatment!

While following proper trampoline injury prevention guidelines significantly reduces risks, even the most careful families can’t prevent every accident. Active children will always find ways to push boundaries, and sometimes, trampoline injuries occur despite our best precautions. What matters most is having a trusted medical partner ready when you need them.

Complete Care’s network of emergency facilities across Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Colorado Springs provides immediate, expert care for trampoline-related injuries. Our experienced medical teams understand the unique nature of these injuries and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology — including X-rays and CT scans — to provide comprehensive treatment. We offer shorter wait times than traditional emergency rooms while maintaining the same high level of care you’d expect from a hospital emergency department.

Save Complete Care’s location nearest to you in your phone now, so you’ll be prepared if your family ever needs immediate medical attention. Our doors are open 24/7, and our compassionate staff is ready to provide the prompt, professional care your family deserves.

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