safety tips

As Hurricane Sandy approaches the east coast, 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. 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:

1. Collapse the FlexiNet: We recommend taking down the safety enclosure net to prevent it from getting caught in high winds. You need to remove the enclosure rods from the frame sockets by removing the c-clips and wiggling the rods out of the sockets – this should take 3-5 minutes. The enclosure rods can then collapse down and be removed entirely. If your trampoline has the FlexrHoop, you'll have better access to remove it once the enclosure rods are taken down. The FlexrHoop is clamped on to two of the enclosure rods. You may opt to remove it entirely by using the provided allan key. If you are in a rush, you can just leave it attached the enclosure rods and remove them entirely.

2. Secure the frame: If possible, you should store your trampoline in the garage or inside the house. If this isn't possible, you should secure your trampoline with heavy sand bags so it will stay put. If you are nearby a local dealer, you may want to look into getting our trampoline anchor kit to secure the base of the legs. If you live in an area prone to high winds, it may be advisable to keep them on hand. 

We do NOT recommend placing the trampoline on its side as this will pick up wind more easily. 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. Watch our videos: www.youtube.com/springfreetrampoline Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/springfree for exclusive content. Follow us on Twitter @springfree to chat with our team.

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.

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.

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

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.

Springfree™ Trampoline is the safest recreational trampoline option currently available, so it’s only natural we were curious about the safety of trampoline parks.

Trampoline parks are public recreational facilities featuring wall-to-wall trampolines stitched together like a giant checkerboard.

We posed the following question to our Facebook community:

“Given the health benefits and the fun of jumping versus the safety concerns, would you let your child jump at a trampoline park?”

The topics of discussion varied. Many discussed the need for more parental and professional supervision and the implementation of age restrictions. Some community members discussed how much fun they had at trampoline parks and the exercise benefits they gained.

Approximately 50 parks operate in the US today and parks are opening up in other countries. Trampoline parks typically charge $8 to $14 per hour for each jumper. With revenues approaching $100 million, trampoline parks are gaining attention.

Unlike amusement parks, trampoline parks are not yet regulated by any state or federal agencies in the US. Earlier this summer, a trampoline park in Illinois gained notoriety when 16 ambulances were dispatched in a matter months to respond to jumper injuries.

Trampoline park owners maintain their facilities are a safe and fun venue for children and adults to get exercise. Some parks have even installed cameras to monitor the jumpers and have created jumping areas restricted to smaller children to ensure safety.

Springfree Trampoline has compiled tips for safe jumping, whether you are jumping at a trampoline park or in your backyard:
1. One at a time please – Multiple jumpers increase the risk of injury from collision. Statistics show that with more than one user at a time, the smaller/lighter of the two is almost always the one sustaining an injury.
2. Don’t flip out – Untrained jumpers run the risk of landing awkwardly.
3. Avoid roughhousing – Some kids love to play rough and tumble, but this type of behavior can result in injury.
4. Keep it clean – Trampolines should be void of foreign objects. Any new object introduced to the trampoline is another potential “hard surface” that can result in injury.
5. Stand watch – Keep an eye on children and inexperienced jumpers while they are on the trampoline.
6. Steer clear – Do not allow children underneath the trampoline while someone is jumping.
7. Stay in control – Stay in the center of the trampoline. If you deviate during jumping, stop and move back to the center.
8. Talk it out– Discuss the importance of trampoline safety with your kids, and tell them about the risks of not using it properly.

With the right equipment and proper supervision, jumping can be a safe and fun activity enjoyed by kids of all ages!

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!

Travel Tips (or tid-bits)

Sitting at the desk again is a far cry from the jungles (urban and outdoor), savannahs and deserts of this world – but as others start to pack up their bags – hopefully the following ‘what not to do/ to do’ is helpful. For some, the below may seem common sense, or no-brainers, but for others that lack the ‘street smart gene’ (like myself) hopefully it will help you avoid some interesting experiences!

1) Don’t pat police horses – They may seem like ‘pretty horses’ and remind you of outdoors and farm life, but the police horses in Central Park New York, are not particularly friendly. Upon offering my hand to acquaint myself before patting horse, said horse bit me. Yes, it nabbed my finger, and snapped it in its mouth. A stream of abuse from its copper owner, and fair chunk of a missing finger later – I can clearly say, don’t pat horses.

2) Be careful when falling asleep on planes – it’s fairly usual to sleep on a long haul flight. But just be careful… sometimes you generate unwanted attention. Flying from Trinidad to Guyana, I was asleep, so of course doing my own thing. I woke however, with a strange patting sensation on my head. My seat neighbour, an elderly non-English speaking woman, had kindly decided to stroke my head…

3) Know your rate in camels – you can’t walk more than 3 paces through most Egyptian sites without offers to be purchased. You shouldn’t settle for much less than 100,000 racing camels… and certainly not a goat.

4) Have a very large medicine kit – Mystery illnesses are rife, and general clumsiness can be the cause of a fair amount of discomfort. Let’s just say… one case of giardia, septicaemia, parasite x 2, not to mention travellers tummy… the ability to self-diagnose and medicate was a must.

5) Learn some local words – okay goes without saying. I just learnt the hard way that ‘buso’ means ‘kiss’ in Arabic. Unfortunately, this lesson was conveyed by a monkey in Marrakesh.

Do you have some travel tips of your own? Share them with us by leaving a comment or posting to our Facebook fan page.

For any further info on Springfree™ Trampoline, please visit the Springfree Trampoline website.

Thanks for reading – until next time, safe jumping!

When we talk to new customers about the Springfree™ Trampoline they say, “Ooohh that’s the one with the net around it!” and yes that is correct. But our FlexiNet^TM is completely different from the nets on traditional design trampolines, and it’s important to understand why.

Springfree™ Trampoline’s patented FlexiNet™ enclosure has flexible supports to cushion

Springfree™ Trampoline’s patented FlexiNet™

jumpers and prevent falls. Should a jumper fall sideways, the FlexiNet™ will gently and securely catch them, guiding them back to the centre of the mat. The jumper cannot make contact with the flexi rods meaning no hard impact zones.

Traditional Enclosed Trampolines

A brief description of the nets on traditional trampolines – JUST NOT SAFE.

Don’t get us wrong – we mean this is the nicest way possible but it’s important parents are aware of the potential dangers of trampolines. With over 200,000 children worldwide admitted to hospital each year for trampoline device related injuries, Springfree™ Trampoline is working hard to reduce injury occurrence.

Traditional enclosures on other model trampolines may stop jumpers falling off, but in doing so, either directs them into rigid steel poles or straight down onto the springs and frame.

An "El-Cheapo Nasty Net"

OUCH!!! Do you have any horror stories of hurting yourself on these types of Trampolines? Let us know by leaving a comment or posting to our Facebook fan page.

For any further info on Springfree™ Trampoline, please visit the Springfree Trampoline website.

Thanks for reading – until next time, safe jumping!

DID YOU KNOW

Did you know that stretching helps to stop injuries and allows you to be more flexible when jumping!

Stretching Helps Prevent Injuries

Stretching your muscles before engaging in any physical activity is important. Whether it’s dancing, playing soccer or swimming it is important to prepare your body to perform the best it can – so why should trampolining be any different? Do you love to perform for mum and dad in the backyard or are you seasoned pro at your local gymnasium? No matter what level you are you should always stretch your muscles in order increase your flexibility and then you will get even bigger jumps.

Check out the huge jumps these professional jumpers get in Central Park in America – I Bet they did some serious stretching to achieve the complexity and intricacy of the jumps.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWraH2STPRs]

Please note: This type of jumping with flips and somersaults should only be done in a controlled environment under the supervision of experts. Springfree™ Trampoline is the only safe way to jump in the Backyard!

A fantastic Jumping MOVE you can try at home is the…..

“AND STRETCH”

THE MOVE

Take one of your heels up to your bottom, hold your balance for 1…2…3…4…5 seconds, try and keep your knees together. Now test your other leg. Take one of your hands to the opposite shoulder blade, take your other hand and place it on your elbow, push down on your elbow

CHALLENGE

Can you hold 1 leg at a time for 30 seconds without falling over? Ready, Set, GO! Now try your other led! Ready, Set, GO!

Keep popping in and we will provide you with heaps more jumps you can try at home! Do you know of any other awesome and SAFE moves you can do on the Springfree™ Trampoline? Let us know by leaving a comment or posting to our Facebook Fan Page wall.

For any further info on Springfree™ Trampoline, please visit the Springfree Trampoline website.

Thanks for reading – until next time, safe jumping!

Everyone loves to show mum and dad all the tricks they can do on their Springfree™ Trampoline but remember safety comes first! If you want to try some fancy flips or swanky somersaults please try this under the direction of an experienced gym teacher and in the surrounds of a gymnasium.

But have no fear, Springfree has a number of moves you can try on your Springfree™ Trampoline that are safe, fun and extremely beneficial.

TRY THIS AT HOME!

“GERONIMO”

THE MOVE

Begin jumping, as you jump up in the air, bring your arms in over 1 shoulder, turn your head in that direction and look for a starting point. Did you do a full twist?

CHALLENGE

See how many full twists you can do in row, don’t forget to say Geronimo! Ready, set, GO!

DID YOU KNOW

The word “Geronimo” was first used in 1940 the night before U.S.paratroopers at Fort Benning had their first mass jump. As watched the film ‘Geronimo’ a Private Aubrey Eberhardt announced he would shout the name when he jumped to prove he was not scared. The trend has since caught on elsewhere.

Make sure you upload your Geronimo to our Facebook Fan page!!!

For any further info on Springfree™ Trampoline, please visit the Springfree Trampoline website.

Thanks for reading – until next time, safe jumping!

Your mother probably told you this when you were young, and you’re still hearing it!

But there’s a good reason! No denying kids love to play together; it’s a very natural thing. We’re social creatures after all! However when it comes to jumping on your Springfree Trampoline, one at a time is the ONLY safe way.

Now Springfree don’t mean to sound like the Grinch of playtime but unfortunately 17 % of trampoline related injuries still occur due to the collision of more than one person jumping at a time. At Springfree, YOUR SAFETY is our priority – after all, that’s why we created the Worlds Safest Trampoline!!

A Springfree Sleep Out

There are so many other activities you can do on your Springfree – add chalk and it becomes the world’s coolest hugest chalk board, grab your story books and soft toys and it becomes a great quiet place to curl up and read, or our favourite – grab your sleeping bag and do some star gazing or even have a sleep out! There are heaps of safe play activities you can do on your Springfree, just remember that one at a time is the only way to ensure you’re safe!

Why don’t you visit our Facebook Fan Page and tell us what activities you get up to on your Springfree?

When riding a bike you must wear a helmet. That’s the law as we know it to ensure no one seriously hurts themselves and it makes sense. You may be thinking…. ‘What’s that got to do with the price of Fish?’

Well when it comes to Trampolines there is no such mandatory standard even though they cause over 6,000 admissions to Australian hospitals each year!

Don’t get us wrong there is an Australian Safety Standard out there but it’s completely voluntary!

Springfree is very proud to boast that we are the ONLY Trampoline in Australian guaranteed to adhere to the Australian Standards!

Many trampolines sold in Australia do not comply with the Australian Standard (AS4989 – Trampolines – Safety Aspects) and safety should not be a compromise when it comes to your children… Springfree Trampolines are the only safe option!

Springfree Trampoline - World's Safest Jump!

You can download detailed information on updated Australian Trampoline Standard, introduced late 2006 and read more about trampoline safety and why Springfree is the world’s safest jump on the Springfree Trampoline website.

From all the team at Springfree, thanks for reading. For any further info on Springfree products, please visit the Springfree Trampoline website. Until next time, safe jumping.”