Your 2024 Trampoline Safety Walkthrough Guide

SUMMER IS HERE and its time for your trampoline check-up!

As summer approaches, it's the perfect time to ensure your trampoline is safe and ready for fun. Different trampolines have varying lifespans depending on usage, weather conditions, and maintenance. Regular checks on your trampoline safety features can prevent injuries and extend the life of your trampoline. Here’s a your 2024 trampoline guide to help you inspect and maintain each part of your trampoline.

Inspect your Frame

The first step in your trampoline walkthrough should be to inspect the frame. Look for any signs of rust, especially if your trampoline has been exposed to moisture. Rust can weaken the frame and make it unsafe. Additionally, check for any bends or cracks in the frame, as these can compromise the structure and stability of the trampoline. To maintain the frame, use a rust remover or a wire brush to clean any rust spots and consider applying a rust-resistant coating. If you find any significant damage, replace the affected parts immediately to ensure safety.

Check your Springs

Next, examine the springs. Ensure that all springs are intact, with no signs of overstretching or wear. Inspect for any rust or corrosion, which can reduce the spring’s elasticity and effectiveness. To keep the springs in good condition, apply a light coat of lubricant to prevent rust and maintain their flexibility.

If you find any damaged or overly stretched springs, replace them to maintain optimal bounce and safety. Damaged springs can cause an uneven bounce, resulting in a higher risk of falling off your trampoline. We highly recommend that any damaged springs are replaced immediately.

To help prevent your springs from being damaged, you should avoid overstreching or crossing your springs. Although this could result in a better bounce temporarily, they will wear our much quicker. Another method to get a longer lifetime out of your trampoline springs is covering your trampoline while not in use. This will reduce the amount of moisture that can accumulate and cause rusting.

Test your Jump Surface

Your trampoline jump surface is one of the most critical points to check to help keep your kids safe on your backyard trampoline. This is often one of the first componants to wear out. Look for any holes, tears, or fraying edges on your jump surface. Even the smallest holes can quickly worsen over time and pose a risk. Make sure to also check if the jump surface is overly stretched or sagging, which can indicate it’s time for a replacement.

To reduce the risk of damaging your trampoline jump surface, regular maintenance of your trampoline is required.

Before jumping, check to see if the jump surface is clear of any sharp or large objects that could damage your trampoline.

Clean your jump surface with a mild soap to get rid of any small dirt or debris that could damage your jump surface over time. This can be done once per year before your first jump.

Lucky, if you are able to catch early damage to your trampoline jump surface, often times your can have it repaired for a fraction of the cost. Fraying ends and small holes (approximately the size of a golf ball) can easily be repaired by your local trampoline experts or contact us to see what we can do to help. A clean, undamaged trampoline jump surface is essential to ensure a safe jumping experience.

Safety Pad Inspection

Depeding on the brand of trampoline you have, your safety pads can last for a long time or, in some cases, only a single year. It is important that you check your safety pads often to make sure they are able to keep your kids safe on your trampoline. Your trampoline safety pads keep your kids from falling into the springs and provide some cushion support for hard falls. They are a vital componant of your trampoline and you should NOT jump without them.

There are a couple different parts of your trampoline safety pads that you should inspect when doing your trampoline walkthrough:

Safety Pad Surface - Be sure to check for any tears or cuts in the surface of your safety pad. Openings in your safety pad can comprimise the integrity of the inner foam.
The Inner Foam - The inner foam of your safety pads is not water resistant. If they become comprimised, the foam can begin to deteriorate.
Safety Pad Straps - Ensure the pads are securely attached and have not shifted out of place. All the straps should be securly attached to the frame.

If the pads are worn or damaged, replace them to maintain the protective barrier they provide. Crazy Ape Extreme Equipment is able to manufacture high quality custom pads for a handful of older trampolines. The pads on our new APEX and ALPHA models have replaceable vinyl covers that can be shipped directly to you.

Check your Trampoline Safety NET

Your trampoline safety net is one of the most important factors when it comes to creating a safe trampolining experience. It is crucial in preventing your child from falling off the trampoline onto the hard ground below. We highly recommend purchasing a high quality enclosure that can hold up against the elements for many years to help reduce this risk.

Over time and use, your safety enclosure will wear and you will begin to notice larger holes in the mesh. Although your safety enclosure will still most likely catch someone with a few small holes, it can become a hazard for getting hands and feet stuck. If you do notice any holes in your enclosure net, please ensure that all jumpers are also aware of these holes.

More importantly, if you notice your safety enclosure poles are not properly holding up the enclosure net, you should check where the poles are attached immediately. Sometimes, this can be a simple fix, such as a loose mounting clamp. Under worse circumstances, the mounting clamp could be broke, the enclosure poles could be bent, or the perimeter of the enclosure could be tore. If you notice any of these issues, we highly recommend a replacement enclosure system.

Trampoline Warranty

Replacing trampoline parts can get very expensive if they are not covered under warranty. Make sure to check when you bought your trampoline and if it is still covered under the manufacturers warranty before you begin looking for replacement parts. Different companies offer various warranties on trampolines, ranging from comprehensive to specific component coverage. Some companies provide a short 3 year warranty while other provide upwards of 10 years. It is important to do regular walkthrough and safety check-ups on your trampoline, so you can take advantage of your warranty while your trampoline is still covered.

Crazy Ape's Premium Replacement Parts

Looking for premium or custom replacement parts for your trampoline?

Crazy Ape provides a range of high-quality replacement parts for both new and old trampolines. Our parts are designed to enhance safety and performance, ensuring your trampoline remains in top condition for years to come. Our replacement parts are made from premium materials for generations of use and are designed to meet the highest safety standards. We supply replacement parts for most premium trampolines.

We pride ourselves on being trampoline experts with years of experience in both backyard trampolines and trampoline parks. We're always happy to help with any trampoline-related questions. Feel free to call or message us!

By following this guide, you can help make your trampoline a safer and more enjoyable space for family fun. Regular maintenance and timely replacements will help prevent accidents and prolong the life of your trampoline. Enjoy a safe and fun-filled summer with the help of Crazy Ape!