How to fix a trampoline

[JJEH]

So, we have not been home for the 4th of July weekend and our yard was littered with fireworks residue. Problem is that some of the fireworks hit our trampoline that's in the back yard. There are three little holes in it.

I have seen the patch kits that you can purchase. Has anyone here done this already? I mean, there's no glue and nothing. Just 2 patches and a string. Does it hold up?

It's not like fixing the bicycle tire tubes as we did back in the day I guess...

 

[Cpo1944]

I make artificial limbs and braces for a living. Last month I had to make a full body brace for a beautiful 10 year old girl who broke her back on the family trampoline. Her grandad told me it wasn`t the first injury on that thing and that it was half way to the dumpster as we spoke. I have seen many injuries- sometimes very severe- due to trampolines and would never allow anyone in my care to get on one. Since yours is damaged its a good time/ excuse to get rid of it. I sure would.Also I know a family in Orlando who had one and it showed up on an ariel photo which the insurance company saw. They threatened to raise the ins rate or cancel the ins outright if they did not get rid of it.
Sorry for the rant, but I can still see that poor little girl and it breaks my heart.

 

[JJEH]

Don't feel sorry, I completely understand. Safety is a concern, especially since other kids of this neighborhood use it as well at times.

Perhaps I should use this opportunity to get rid of... I don't like it myself since it's attracting other kids and I have to play supervisor...

 

[Muss Muggins]

Dremel Tool . . .

 

[feralmerril]

Within days of moving to utah we seen more trampolines then we had in our prior lifetime. It must be a mormon thing? That and red headed kids.

 

[rwsmith]

My idea of fixing a trampoline....

Take it to the junkyard. When the kids were playing on it I should have thought to tell them 'One kid at a time'. They are a lot of fun and exercise but dangerous. I was really glad to get rid of ours.

 

[brucev]

Just an idea. My wife grew up with a trampoline in the backyard. Rather than having it mounted on a frame above the ground, her father went a different way. He but the legs off the frame. Then he dug a hold about four feet deep that would accommodate the trampoline. A 2x12 frame was placed around the edges of the hole. The trampoline was then put in place and secured with homemade staples.

Years later when our daughters were born, my wife and I knew they would sooner or later want to play on the trampoline. My mother-in-law had moved. So, I dug a new hole in the backyard, set the trampoline in place and secured it with the same type 2x12 frame. The edges of the area had lots of nice thick grass. We bought a new set of springs and pad which I installed and we were in business! We used the tar out of that trampoline up till the girls went off to college.

Now our daughters are grown and gone. The trampoline is still in place at my mother-in-law's home. And... who knows, one day that frame may very well end up in the backyard of one of my daughter's home's ... with everyone using it some more. It's about like four-wheelers, skiing, playing field sports, etc. There is always some potential for injury. One uses good sense and wisdom. One follows the normal rules of safety, providing appropriate parental oversight, etc.

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

You could sell it to NASA to assist with getting our astronauts up to the ISS, cuz that's what Russia suggested NASA do.

 

[bricker]

I think it was Jay Leno who said the best place for a trampoline is in the emergency room parking lot.

 

[gdnagle]

And don't forget about insurance liability. Back in the stone age when I was in HS they got one in and made everyone use it. Well I bounced and didn't do a complete flip. Landed on my head sideways. I was lucky and only sprained my neck.

 

[Mcwsky09]

Many years ago I had my step daughter in the ER for a reaction to cleaning chemicals at work and heard through the curtains from another bay someone ask "who's idea was it to take TWO bowling balls onto the trampoline?"

 

[Rule3]

When our Daughter was young she was very good at Gymnastics and of course was a Cheerleader in HS also. They went on traveling competition gymnastics events. She always wanted a trampoline in the yard. We refused. As mentioned the potential for severe injury is great, plus the liability of neighborhood kids jumping on it. Even with the screens you can put up around them.

The stuff they did a Gymnastics camps and meets was enough to shorten parents lives many years!!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My S-I-L smashed his head on a tramp, so that set of grandkids (triplet boys) won't be playing on a tramp! However we had on for the kids while growing up. The only main rule was "limit two people at a time". My kids were responsible for enforcing the rule with their guests, and they succeeded. Why "two person limit"? You can't correct for a third persons "counter bounces". Outside of that they were allowed to have unrestricted warfare. They used padded broom sticks to "pummel", and stuffed socks as "morning stars" to clobber each other. The screams could be heard a mile and a half away. The Sheriff and neighbors drove up to see what was going on, and left amazed at how much fun kids have beating on their friends (and brothers) while bouncing. #2 son never gave up in boot camp with pugel sticks due this experiance! Ivan

 

[radar1972]

I didn't know kids played outside anymore.