Springfree™ Trampoline Blog » Safe Trampoline

School Holiday Fun: Learn Basic Trampoline Moves!

Stella — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:32:09 +0000

Would your kids be interested in participating in basic trampoline lessons during school holidays at our Springfree Trampoline Experience Centre in Ryde?

How it works:

Kids must be between the ages of 4 -12 years to be eligible to participate.
The lesson will run for a maximum of 30 minutes with a professional trampoline instructor.
One or more parents must remain on site during the lesson (we’ll make it enjoyable for you too!).
Participating kids will all receive a certificate of completion at the end to keep and show family and friends.

Dates: Monday 16 January 2012 to Thursday 19 January 2012

Times: Will depend on how many kids are interested but when registering we will ask for your preferences.

Location: Springfree Trampoline Experience Centre Sydney – 723 Victoria Road (Cnr Little Church St) Ryde NSW 2112

REGISTER NOW to take part. Registrations close 5pm AEDST, Friday 6th January 2012. Spots are limited!

We will contact you shortly after to confirm your time. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Sandra, Ryde Local Marketing Coordinator, at sandra@springfree.com.au.

To buy a Springfree Trampoline visit, www.springfree.com.
To watch our new miniseries, visit www.springfreetrampolinereview.com.
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/springfree for exclusive content.
Follow us on Twitter @springfree to chat with our team.

[Our Response] Spring-based trampolines: safe or insane?

Kat — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:10:29 +0000

This past Monday we came across an article by Molly Snyder of OnMilwaukee.com regarding trampoline safety. The article concluded,

“Life is dangerous. Trampolines, with rules, are not. Let’s let kids have fun.”

At Springfree Trampoline we believe that spring-based trampolines are an outdated, unnecessary danger. Approximately 100,000 kids are sent to hospitals in North America every year due to injury on spring-based trampolines. We aren’t talking cuts and scrapes – we’re talking broken bones and concussions.

We hear it every day – they can’t be THAT bad? Well, let’s play a game of True or False…

1. Spring-based trampolines can’t be that unsafe if stores have been selling them for years.

False: Currently there are few mandatory trampoline standards. This means manufacturers have no obligation to ensure minimum levels of quality and safety.

2.You have to have a net around it for one thing. That’s the most important feature.

False: While having a trampoline net is important, the net alone is not enough. The enclosures that come with most spring-based trampolines are not made to last and give you a false sense of security. They are held on with large steel poles that drop you right down onto metal springs – not the safety net you were looking for.

3. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that trampolines should never be used in homes, yards or playgrounds.

True: The AAP has a strong stance against spring-based trampolines, and for good reason. Springfree Trampoline is the only trampoline to remove the areas that cause injury – the springs, the hard metal frame at the jumping surface and the risk of falling off. We’re not just trying to sell trampolines – we’re trying to reduce the amount of injuries caused by a popular backyard toy. Part of that effort is working to educate major organizations, like the AAP, about the potential of an alternative design.

Lets go back and review that conclusion…

“Life is dangerous. Trampolines, with rules, are not. Let’s let kids have fun.”

Following the jumping rules doesn’t prevent fun – it prevents injuries. As the world’s safest trampoline we are the first to admit that rules are important when jumping on any trampoline. Our jumper rules are always encouraged and available on our trampoline safety page.

But jumper rules aren’t enough. Springfree Trampoline inventor, Dr. Keith Alexander, said it best:

“Trampolines give you this great bouncing surface that kids want to jump on, but then you surround it with big bars of steel and springs and holes – and it’s the kid’s fault if they hurt themselves.”

With the world’s safest trampoline, there’s no need to worry.

If you want to read more on independent trampoline safety research, visit our library. Leave your comments below and let us know what you think!

Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

Stella — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:23:04 +0000

As you all know, Springfree Trampoline is the number one trampoline for safety. We want your children – whether they’re a ghost, a witch or a superhero – to stay safe this Halloween.

Follow these easy tips for a safe night of trick-or-treating:

• Plan your route with your kids before you head out and be sure to stay in familiar neighborhoods.
• Accompany your children trick-or-treating or ensure that they are under the supervision of a trusted adult.
• Watch out for the jack-o-lanterns on the doorsteps as open flame can be dangerous for young kids. Halloween is one of the top five days for candle fires.
• Stay on the sidewalk as unpaved roads and lawns can be a tripping hazard.
• Look both ways before crossing the street for oncoming traffic.
• Increase visibility of your kids by putting them in brightly colored costumes and by using a flashlight or glowsticks.
• Wear layers to make sure you and your kids are warm and comfortable for the outdoors.

How else do you ensure your children stay safe on Halloween night? Share some tips by commenting.

From all of us at Springfree Trampoline, we wish you a fun and safe Halloween. BOO!

Hurricane Safety Tips for Your Trampoline

Stella — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:27:38 +0000

As Hurricane Katia approaches the UK, Springfree Trampoline wants you and your family to keep safe. In a storm, wind can pick up the trampoline mat and carry it away, posing a danger to the safety of families.

We definitely don’t want THIS to happen to your trampoline:

First and foremost, assess the situation. If you anticipate SEVERE and EXTREME weather, the trampoline should be moved to a sheltered location or disassembled.

Here are some additional tips to keep your Springfree safe in inclement weather:

Collapse the FlexiNet. Remove the white C-clips and pull the net rod out of the socket. This takes less than 10 minutes to do and will prevent your net rods from catching high wind.
Secure the frame. You can use sandbags or a generic anchor kit from a hardware store to ensure your trampoline will stay put in a hurricane.

Remember: any trampoline that is not properly anchored has the potential to move and become airborne during severe weather, potentially causing injury and/or damage. Stay safe by taking preventative measures.

To buy a Springfree Trampoline visit, www.springfree.co.uk.
To watch our new miniseries, visit www.springfreetrampolinereview.com.
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/springfree for exclusive content.
Follow us on Twitter @springfree to chat with our team.

Hear It. See It. Speak It: Competitive Sports

Stella — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:22:43 +0000

Who wouldn’t want their kid to build confidence, be active, make new friends and learn the value of good sportsmanship? With so many benefits, organized sports have become the after-school activity of choice for kids and parents.

Unfortunately, 70% of children quit organized sports by age 13, according to the National Alliance for Youth Sports. The Springfree Trampoline online team wondered if this statistic had links to stress and pressure from parents, coaches and teammates.

We asked if you thought children’s organized sports were becoming too competitive:

“Definitely too competitive. I find it hard to teach my children that all the fun is in the playing, not the winning.” – Carly from Facebook

“I think we ask our kids to be on select teams far too early. The kids who are starting at 2^nd and 3^rd grade end up missing out on other activities because they are dialed into just one sport. Also, by focusing on one sport there is a great risk of repetitive motion injuries.” – Nanette from Facebook

Child psychology research shows it is possible to start too early when it comes to organized sports. For children under 10, the concepts of competition, effort and ability may be difficult to grasp. At a young age, it’s most important for children to develop passion for a particular sport.

It’s also essential to strike a healthy balance between competition and fun. As a parent, you can take the initiative to reduce competition-related stress for the children. Springfree fan Kerum suggests: “[My son is] only 6, we have run into a few coaches and a few parents who take it way too seriously. Some of the leagues we have played with have a rule to only cheer FOR kids, not against the other team.” What an encouraging rule!

If the stress of competition is overwhelming, try an alternative to organized sports like swimming, rock climbing or jumping on a trampoline! These activities have just as much health and fitness benefits as organized team sports.

For parents, the best thing they can do is set a positive example for their children. A parent’s active lifestyle is a powerful stimulus for a child. When your child follows in your active footsteps, be sure to praise, reward and encourage them.

How do you foster a love of activity in your children?

Helping the Divas Raise money for Kidsafe SA

Erin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 02:30:45 +0000

Sharing similar values to Springfree™ Trampoline, we’ve always loved and continue to support the work that kidsafe do here in Australia… Keeping kids safe!

Kidsafe is the leading non-government, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the prevention of unintentional childhood injuries and provides an information service for parents and carers of children on all aspects of child safety and injury prevention.

Injuries are still the leading cause of death in Australian children aged one to fourteen, accounting for nearly half of all deaths in this age group. More children die of injury than die of cancer, asthma and infectious diseases combined. There is still much more work to be done to reduce this shocking statistic.

In South Australia, the Kidsafe Centre is located in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital at North Adelaide. They provide an education, information and resource service on child safety and injury prevention at home, in the backyard, on the road, etc.

There major fundraising function for 2011 is the DIVA Club Ladies Luncheon – ‘DIVAs go Wild @ Sanctuary Adelaide Zoo’ – to be held this Friday 9th September.

We are pleased to help as their major raffle prize for the 2011 DIVA Ladies Luncheon donating– a R54 Compact Round Springfree™ Trampoline.

For more information on Kidsafe SA and the Diva Club, please see http://www.kidsafesa.com.au/.

Hurricane Safety Tips for Your Trampoline

Stella — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:13:50 +0000

As Hurricane Irene approaches the east coast in the US and Canada, Springfree Trampoline wants you and your family to keep safe. In a storm, wind can pick up the trampoline mat and carry it away, posing a danger to the safety of families.

We definitely don’t want THIS to happen to your trampoline:

First and foremost, assess the situation. If you anticipate SEVERE and EXTREME weather, the trampoline should be moved to a sheltered location or disassembled.

For inclement weather, the absolute best guard for your Springfree Trampoline is our Ground Anchor. The anchor is designed specifically for the Springfree Trampoline and will keep it safely and securely on the ground. This product has been tested against competing products in various conditions to achieve the highest pull out force.

Here are some additional tips to keep your Springfree safe in inclement weather:

Collapse the FlexiNet. Remove the white C-clips and pull the net rod out of the socket. This takes less than 10 minutes to do and will prevent your net rods from catching high wind.
Secure the frame. Although the Ground Anchor is the best accessory for securing your trampoline frame, you can use sandbags or a generic anchor kit from a hardware store to ensure your trampoline will stay put in a hurricane.

To learn more or to purchase our weather accessories, visit: Springfree Accessories (US) / Springfree Accessories (Canada).

A Springfree baby on the way! [photos]

Kat — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:26:24 +0000

If you’ve purchased one of our trampolines over the phone, it’s very possible you have spoken to our wonderful customer service specialist, Maureen.

Maureen is one of the kind voices on our Springfree Trampoline North American customer service line in Toronto.

Over the past nine months we’ve watched her belly grow as she is expecting her first child – a baby boy!
We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to celebrate Maureen and her new family with a baby shower.

Plus there was cake.

We definitely can’t pass up cake!

Moms in the office passed along wise advice: enjoy it because kids grow up quickly, take lots of photos and be sure to take time for yourself!

Join us in congratulating Maureen and welcoming yet-to-be-named baby boy into the world

What advice would you share with a new mom?

- Kat

To buy a Springfree Trampoline visit, www.springfree.com.
To read trampoline reviews and watch our new miniseries, visit www.springfreetrampolinereview.com!
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/springfree for exclusive content.
Follow us on Twitter @springfree to chat with our team!

Springfree Trampoline: Behind the Scenes at the TODAY SHOW!

Kat — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:23:03 +0000

It was an early morning (evening? it was still dark outside!) but the Springfree Trampoline team was up for the challenge!

In case you missed it, we were included in a feature on the dangers of spring-based trampolines. Want to watch the clip? Click here to see Springfree Trampoline recommended as the safest trampoline!

Our product manager, Norm, and our warehouse manager, Kerry, were in the plaza at 3am to set up before the show. In fact, they are kind of office celebrities now – they actually made it on TV!

Segments like this mean a lot to us. It took over 14 years to design Springfree Trampoline with one goal in mind – keeping kids safe. With over 100,000 kids sent to hospital every year due to spring-based trampoline injury, we are proud to be the only safe choice for your backyard.

Now the fun part – here are a few behind the scenes shots!

We brought our 10ft. trampoline to the plaza and set up very very early in the morning.

Emma Watson from Harry Potter was on the same day as us! Is there a spell for jumping?

Just about to go live!

Happy Bouncing

[VIDEO] Today Show: Springfree is the Safest Backyard Trampoline

Kat — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:24:43 +0000

This morning the Today Show and consumer correspondent, Janice Lieberman, featured a report on the dangers of backyard trampolines – and Springfree Trampoline was recommended as the safer choice. Watch the clip below!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The statistics are scary. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 100,000 children are sent to hospital every year due to trampoline-related injury.

“A trampoline that is doing everything right, a safer version…Springfree Trampoline” – Savannah Guthrie, Today Show co-host and chief legal analyst

Years of research have gone into Springfree Trampoline’s design and we are proud to be the only trampoline to eliminate the areas that cause injury on spring-based trampolines. No frame, no springs and you can’t fall off – we really are the world’s safest trampoline!

What a morning! Thank you to everyone who watched and commented!

To read trampoline reviews and watch our new miniseries, visit www.springfreetrampolinereview.com!
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/springfree for exclusive content.
Follow us on Twitter @springfree to chat with our team!