safety

If you’ve ever had an inquiry about your Springfree over the phone, chat or e-mail, this is probably the girl you’ve talked to! Meet our Customer Service Specialist, Shannon.

Introduce yourself. My name is Shannon, and I am 22 years old. I recently graduated from university with a Bachelor of Arts – major in French, and minor in Law.

How long have you been working at Springfree Trampoline? I have been working at Springfree for a year and a half as a Customer Service Specialist at the Markham, Ontario office.

What’s your job title and what does your job entail? As a Customer Service Specialist, I speak to all prospective customers and current owners in regards to their Springfree Trampoline. I chat online with our customers, I respond to all customer inquiries, and I am a member of our warranty team. In addition, I work as a translator and bilingual representative for our French-speaking owners.

What has been a highlight of your time working here? Working at events and meeting our customers face to face! The Home Show was a great way to connect with our prospective and current owners.

What do you like most about your job? I love assisting fellow Springfree family members with the entire purchase process – from deciding which model would work best for their family, to arranging for the trampoline to be shipped as a surprise birthday present, and finally… to seeing photos of the children bouncing away post-installation.

What do you like most about the company? I love how our company promotes safety and wellness in such an exciting way. Our team is so loyal and passionate about their jobs… it isn’t hard to go into work every day, I look forward to it!

What’s a funny/unique fact about yourself? I used to be a professional hip hop dancer…ha! Oh and I was also in the movie Mean Girls.

What’s your favourite Springfree Trampoline model to bounce on? My favourite Springfree model has got to be the S113 Large Square – I often go for a bounce during my lunch breaks

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Springfree Trampolines? Safety, quality and FUN…I could go on and on!

What did you think about when you first jumped on a Springfree? I was about 13 years old when I first jumped on a Springfree Trampoline and I immediately wanted one in my backyard. I have been a loyal fan of the Springfree brand ever since!

Sadly, Shannon will be leaving the Springfree family soon to head to France for a job opportunity. We will all miss her!

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!

Concussions are everywhere: at the rink, on the field, at the playground and even on your spring-based trampoline. According to The Consumer Product Safety Commission, 20 per cent of trampoline injuries are on the neck and face.

In the following video, Dr. Amanda Weiss Kelly explains concussions in children:

The Head Injury Criterion (HIC) was initially developed by the automotive industry to establish a safety standard. This index measures the likelihood and severity of head injuries in an accident. A higher HIC score indicates increased likelihood of a more severe injury:

HIC is now used as the safety standard for many products including playground surfacing materials and trampolines. Currently, the industry standard for playground surfacing and trampolines is a HIC score of 1000.

What does this mean?

A child falling on an industry standard trampoline from a height of 1.5 metres (5 feet) has:

• 99% chance of sustaining minor injuries (skull trauma, nose/teeth fracture, superficial face injuries),
• 90% chance of sustaining moderate injuries (skull trauma, brief loss of consciousness, facial bone fracture, deep wounds, possible skull dislocation fracture),
• 3% chance of sustaining critical injuries (cerebral contusion, loss of consciousness for 12+ hours, intercranial hemorrhaging, uncertain recovery),
• 1% chance of sustaining fatal injuries.

Independent researchers have concluded that concussions can occur at a HIC score of 250. Current research at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto showed that even low-level shocks to the head can cause concussions.

What is being done?

ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, is holding a meeting this week to discuss changing the existing HIC standards. Springfree™ Trampoline will be participating in these discussions.

We strive to challenge the current standards. The HIC score of a Springfree™ Trampoline is 77. This means that there is less than 1 per cent chance of concussions (or over 99 per cent likelihood of no injury) on a Springfree™ Trampoline. Concussions are serious – but preventable – injuries.

Come back on May 30^th for our next discussion on motion-sensored video games and physical activity.

It’s Friday again! Time for yet another, Springfree remix of a Holiday favourite! This week we have chosen to re-write Last Christmas and we’ve grabbed our two very talented guitar playing Web Developers Saugar and AJ to sing and play for us! Check out Last Christmas – Springfree Remix to see the video!

If you want to sing along, below are the lyrics:

Last Christmas
I bought you a tramp
It was traditional
And is now in the dump
This year, I got you Springfree
Cuz I care about your safety

Last Christmas,
I bought you a tramp
it was an el-cheapo,
So it had to go
this year, to save you from tears
I’m giving you a Springfree

Once I fell and then cried
I keep my distance , I didn’t want to die
That el-cheapo, it was so horrible,
Well it’s been a year, they suggest Springfree

Merry Christmas!

I set it up and loved it
with a net keeping me inside so safely
now I know what a fool I’ve been
so if I bounce right now, I’ll never get hurt again
(CHORUS)
(Oooh. Oooh Baby)

In New Zealand, that’s where it began
A great professor, he’s a kiwi man,
His wife said ain’t no way!
A trampoline in my house
No! I will not have that thing in my backyard
He went to the workshop and he started to think
a man engineering a safe trampoline
Oooh Oooh
He made a Springfree it’ll never hurt them at all
(CHORUS)

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays all!!

Chelsea

As promised, our second of four videos has been uploaded. I apologize for its late arrival however, due to our appearance on Ellen last week, we decided to hold off and have yet another fun video to watch this week! We hope you all enjoy watching it: I Love Springfree – Christmas Remix

In case you want to sing along:

I love Springfree
I love Springfree
There is nothing to hurt me

I love Springfree
I love Springfree
I want one for my family

There are no springs to fall upon
A hidden frame, that danger’s gone

I love Springfree
I love Springfree
I’ll always jump quite happily

I love Springfree
I love Springfree
There is nothing to hurt me

I love Springfree
I love Springfree
The kids can jump in safety

A flexinet keeps me inside
And the soft edge, it need not hide!

Here at Springfree
Here at Springfree
We focus on your safety!

Happy Holidays!

It’s that Festive Time of Year! At Springfree Trampoline we are excited about Holiday Spirit and Holiday Cheer! Our offices are decorated and our Christmas lists are made. The only thing left to do is sing it from the mountains! Since we don’t have mountains close to our Canadian office, we had to settle singing for a camera instead.

The Marketing Team at Springfree promises a Christmas video every Friday leading up to Christmas Day! After today, you can expect one the 10th, 17th and 24th! We’ve rewritten well known Christmas Songs and put a bit of a Springfree spin on them, so be sure to check back next week!

Now, onto our feature presentation,

We hope you enjoy this rendition of Santa Baby, featuring the newest additions to the Springfree Team, Katherine and Chelsea, singing about the safety of Springfree… with a few liberties taken.

Santa Baby – Springfree Remix (Click To Watch)

In case you want to read the lyrics, here they are:

SANTA BABY – SPRINGFREE REMIX

Santa Baby, slip a Springfree under the tree for me
I’ll be an awful safe girl
Santa baby, so bring me a new Springfree tonight!

Santa baby, I don’t want a traditional tramp, oh no!
I’m afraid I’ll get hurt
Santa Baby, so bring me a new Springfree tonight!

Think of all the jumps I’ll do
Think of the all the pain it cannot inflict on you
Next year I’ll still be oh so pleased,
If you set up a Springfree for me,
Boo doo de doo

Santa Honey, I wanna net and really you
Can’t forget!
It’s packaged inside the box
Santa baby, so bring me a new Springfree tonight!

Santa Cutie, there’s one thing about this cool ledge, soft edge
It has a hidden frame!
Santa cutie, so bring me a new Springfree tonight!

Santa Baby, I just cannot get hurt on this thing, at all
It’s the world’s safest tramp
Santa Baby, so bring me a new Springfree tonight!

I don’t want no El-Cheapo!
With its springs and frame and rigid enclosure
I really don’t, want to get hurt
So let’s just throw it in the dirt
Boo doo bee doo

Santa Baby, forgot to mention one little thing, NO SPRINGS!
Nothing to break an arm
Santa Baby, so bring me a new Springfree tonight!

Bring me a new Springfree tonight!
Bring me a new Springfree, Tonight!

​

The Parent’s Choice Foundation has selected Springfree™ Trampoline as one of the winners of its coveted 2009 children’s toy awards, a huge honor that we are very proud receive.

Established in 1978, The Foundation is the nation’s oldest nonprofit guide to quality children’s media and toys and is trusted by parents for their objectivity, respect, and expertise in child learning and development, helping make informed decision about the right products for their children.

According to the Foundation, Trampolines were not usually recommended however the Springfree™ Trampoline’s unique design has changed history.

Although our judges are not in the habit of awarding trampolines, the Springfree™ Trampoline had so many unique safety features that they couldn’t deny. Our testers, ranging in age from six to sixty-six, found skills they hadn’t known, confidence that needed reawakening, and a hefty dose of much needed family fun. If your family has been thinking about a trampoline, this is highly recommended and worth serious consideration.

This Award reflects Springfree™ Trampoline’s commitment to safety and innovation and is a testament of parent’s belief in choosing the safest products for their children. Trampolines provide so many developmental and health benefits but until the Springfree™ Trampoline the benefits were outweighed by the risk.

For more information about The Parents Choice Foundation please visit…http://www.parents-choice.org/aboutpcf.cfm

Springfree™ Trampoline welcomes the New South Wales Minister for Fair Trade’s review into trampoline safety.

Virginia Judge has ordered a NSW Product Safety Committee review into the safety of backyard trampolines.

The review will consider the nature of the Australian Trampoline standard which is currently voluntary and making safety enclosures a requirement.

An estimated 9 – 16 thousand Australian children are presented to emergency departments annually from trampoline injuries, meaning this inquiry is critical.

At Springfree™ Trampoline we’ve been working tirelessly for 5 years to make backyards safer. Traditional spring-based trampolines cause a staggering number of injuries.

Children are injured falling into the springs and frame of traditional trampolines, or falling off or into rigid enclosure poles – we have removed these elements completely from our design – effectively removing the risk of equipment induced injuries.

Imagine if a major car manufacturer sold a product to which you could directly attribute at least 9,000 injuries per year? It would be banned no questions asked. We hope this is the first step towards creating a formal mandated trampoline standard in Australia – ensuring consumers are protected from unsafe products.

Blogged: Kristen @ Springfree™ Trampoline Australia
For any further info on Springfree™ Trampoline, please visit the Springfree Trampoline website.

Thanks for reading – until next time, safe jumping!

“A common and seemingly harmless kids toy could be damaging your outdoor play equipment” warns Springfree Trampoline spokesperson Tanya Munro. One of the latest kids toy crazes are clear high bounce balls. They come in a range of sizes and shapes, however their opaque nature can be a disaster waiting to happen. Left out, these fun play toys can harness and direct the sun’s powerful UV rays, acting like a magnifying glass and damaging all in their wake. “I’d hate to see the damage bill with these destructive tools in the hands of my two sons!”

“We’ve had reports of customers whose Springfree Trampoline mats have been damaged from their kids leaving such balls in the trampoline. As soon as the sun hits them and deflects the powerful beam onto the polypropylene mat, the damage is irreversible. For any parent who’s seen the movie Ant Bully, you’ll recall in horror how dangerous the sun’s focused beam can be. I’ve heard of similar stories where clear water bottles have burned holes in leather car seats when left parked in the sun, so it pays to be particularly careful coming into summer.”

A recall on one particular ball has been issued through Dept Fair Trading in NSW after damage to trampolines, carpet and soft furnishings were reported:

Go to the link

“As the mother of two young boys, I can be sure I won’t pass this information on to them – they’d be straight out on our Springfree testing the theory to see if it works! Before you know it our balls would be burning too!”

Australia has one of the harshest UV environments in the world, so just as we’re taught to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, we should be mindful of the damage it can cause to property as well.

A timely reminder for owners of any outdoor play equipment, it’s good practice to ensure any play toys are not left outside and particularly stored on top of or inside of such equipment. “If you manage to find the secret in getting the kids to clean up their toys – drop me a line and let me know, I’m still forever picking up after mine!”

As a company, Springfree Trampoline warns customers that foreign objects can cause damage, reminding them to ensure any play toys, balls and foreign objects are not stored permanently inside the Springfree™ Trampoline, but removed after play, as any such incidents will void the mat warranty.

“Good advice for the mother of little terrors like mine!”

Blogger: Tanya @ Springfree™ Trampoline Australia

Wednesday 14 October 2009

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!