We’ve been waiting to tell you all about this one for a while — it’s been top secret. Today we can finally tell everyone that Springfree Trampoline is the proud recipient of the Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval!

When it comes to safety, parents demand the best. PTPA is the only parent-testing program with over 40,000 volunteer parent testers. Springfree Trampoline is honoured to receive the PTPA Seal of Approval as the safest trampoline for your family. We got glowing reviews from our parent testers:

“The kids absolutely adored using it, but my favorite is the fact that there is a net to keep them safe and no exposure to the springs.”

“This what most impressed me: our friends have a trampoline with springs and there is no comparison between theirs and this one. Extremely durable and obviously very well made.”

“Our family can’t say enough about our Springfree Trampoline. It is hard to get the kids to come in at night because they are having so much fun. Springfree offers a safe alternative to most trampolines on the market and our kids LOVE every minute of it (so do I!!)”

“I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a trampoline. We had a  play set for 2 years but the kids really got bored of it quickly. I can tell already that the trampoline provides more entertainment for them and friends on the street.”

Springfree Trampoline is also the recipient of the 2010 Product of the Year Award (children’s products) in both Canada and the US and the 2010 NAPPA Gold Award for children’s products. To learn more about Springfree Trampoline’s award-winning design, visit our Awards page.

We’re off to have a jump to celebrate!

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.

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At Springfree Trampoline we believe that spring-based trampolines are an outdated, unnecessary danger.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!

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.

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!

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.

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 2nd and 3rd 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?

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.

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/.

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.

In the lead up to National Nutrition Week 2011 (16-22 October), Nutrition Australia is calling on Aussie kids to get creative when it comes to lunch – and be in the running to win some fantastic prizes including the one and only, Springfree™ Trampoline!

Nutrition Australia’s Healthiest School Lunch Competition is encouraging children across Australia to play an active role in planning and preparing what they eat during the school day.

Springfree along with other brands such as Tefal, Smash Gear, Nude Food Movers and Coles have thrown our support behind this national event to help educate kids in eating healthy. Springfree™ Trampoline is not only all about keeping kids  safe but also in tip top health,  so what better initiative to throw our support behind?

It’s a fantastic opportunity to teach children about how their actions can impact the environment and their health.

Focusing on the positive message of ‘nude food = a healthy body + a healthy planet’, wanting students to be empowered to choose healthy, rubbish free food for their lunches and snacks, Students can win products themselves and win products for their schools. Schools are encouraged to register so that they can access a range of resources to help promote National Nude Food Day to their school family & community.

For competition details visit http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/national/national-nutrition-week-2011-competition

What’s in your lunch box today?

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.

Learning to paddle a canoe, making new friends, eating s’mores around a camp fire and singing silly songs are just some of the activities kids look forward to every year at camp. However, with the rising cost of living, are summer camps becoming a luxury?

“[Camp is] definitely a luxury for us. Having moved from NV to WA – the cost of camps, swim lessons and sports activities are two times what we used to pay. With three boys we definitely don’t do as much. Two of our boys are attending Cub/Boy Scouts this year and they are very reasonable for week long programs”. – Springfree™ Trampoline fan and mom Gail Ruschman Hoobler.

While camp may be a luxury, for some it is a necessity. In homes where both parents are working, kids need a place to spend their summer vacation. The average price of a day camp is $400 per child per week. If you’re thinking of sending your child to overnight camp, the price ranges from $500-$2000 a week.

“We run a holiday arts camp and the fees are over $300 for a week! When we started out 10 years ago it was $100. Camp site fees and insurance has skyrocketed prices”. – Helen Gynther, Springfree fan and camp coordinator

Just like families, camps are feeling the crunch in this economy. In a recent NY Times article entitled When S’Mores Aren’t Enough: The New Economics of Summer Camp, the owner of an overnight summer camp discussed how the cost of running a camp has risen. It is more than just the facility. Parents are looking for more than just a fun summer experience for their kids; they now want ‘results’, whether it’s a better tennis swing or improved algebra.

Whether your kids are going to day camp, overnight camp or just camping in the yard, it is all about having fun and creating great summer memories that last a lifetime.

How will your kids be creating summer memories this year?

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!

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.

Presents

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

Time for cake!

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.

Big presents :)

Plus there was cake.

Oreo cake, yum!

We definitely can’t pass up cake!

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!

Maureen at her baby shower

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

Some of the Canadian Springfree team!

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 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!

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!

Norm (our product manager) on Today Show

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!

Springfree Trampoline on the Today Show!
We brought our 10ft. trampoline to the plaza and set up very very early in the morning.

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

Springfree Trampoline on the Today Show!
Just about to go live!

Happy Bouncing :)

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!