Trampoline parks are designed to be high-energy, fun-filled destinations for families, but ensuring a safe experience for guests is just as important as creating an exciting one. By implementing clear safety rules, training staff to handle risks effectively, and using technology to streamline safety processes, trampoline parks can create a safer environment for guests while minimizing potential legal and operational challenges.
This guide outlines best practices for trampoline park safety, covering essential rules, risk management strategies, and ways to make guests feel more secure during their visit.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended as legal advice. Venues should coordinate with the appropriate bodies for specific information about regulations and guidelines.
Essential trampoline park safety guidelines
Creating a safe environment in a trampoline park requires clear, enforceable safety guidelines. These guidelines help prevent injuries while ensuring that guests can fully enjoy their experience. From jumping rules to proper footwear, every detail contributes to a safer venue.
Rules to prevent injuries
Jumping on a trampoline may seem simple, but without proper guidelines, accidents can happen. Establishing and enforcing clear safety rules significantly reduces risks while ensuring guests have an enjoyable experience. Here are some examples of trampoline park safety rules:
- Only one jumper per trampoline square at a time: Multiple jumpers on a single trampoline significantly increase the risk of mid-air collisions and uncontrolled landings.
- No double bouncing: Double bouncing occurs when one person’s jump impacts another’s landing, leading to unpredictable movement and potential falls.
- No running, pushing, or rough play: Running across trampolines, pushing others, or engaging in rough play increases the risk of falls and collisions.
- Minimum and maximum weight requirements: Trampolines are designed to support specific weight limits. Overloading a trampoline can strain the equipment, increasing the risk of breakage or injury.
- Dedicated jump zones for younger children: Younger jumpers are more vulnerable to collisions with older, more experienced guests.
- No jumping under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Intoxicated individuals have slower reaction times and poor balance, which increases the risk of serious injuries.
If your trampoline park includes additional attractions such as foam pits, climbing walls, or ninja courses, each area should have its own clearly defined safety rules. For example, foam pits should have clearly posted guidelines on safe landings to prevent injuries.
Grip socks and proper footwear
In addition to enforcing safe jumping techniques, proper footwear plays a crucial role in injury prevention at trampoline parks. Slippery surfaces can lead to accidents, and wearing regular shoes can damage trampoline equipment.
Why grip socks improve safety:
- Improved traction: Grip socks are designed with anti-slip soles that help guests maintain balance while jumping, reducing the risk of falls.
- Hygiene benefits: Requiring grip socks minimizes the spread of bacteria and keeps trampoline surfaces cleaner.
- Enforceable policy: Parks can provide or sell grip socks at check-in, ensuring that all guests have the appropriate footwear before they begin jumping.
By enforcing a strict grip sock policy, trampoline parks enhance both guest safety and operational efficiency while also creating an additional revenue stream by offering socks as an add-on or package when guests purchase tickets.
Clear enforcement and staff training
Safety rules are only effective if they are consistently enforced. Well-trained staff and visible signage help guests understand safety expectations while creating a secure and enjoyable trampoline park experience. Trampoline parks should:
- Clearly post safety rules in all relevant areas, including entry points, check-in stations, and activity zones.
- Train all staff members to educate guests about safety rules and to intervene when necessary.
- Establish clear procedures for handling rule violations, including verbal warnings or temporary jump suspensions for repeat offenders.
Risk management and liability: protecting your business and guests
Trampoline park operators should take proactive steps to reduce liability risks while ensuring guest safety. A strong risk management plan includes well-documented safety procedures, waiver enforcement, and thorough staff training.
The importance of liability waivers
Requiring all guests to sign a liability waiver before participating is one of the most effective ways to reduce legal risks and ensure compliance with safety protocols. Digital waivers simplify the process, making it easier to collect, store, and retrieve signed documents without adding extra administrative work.
Digital liability waivers offer:
- Legal protection: In the event of an incident, having a signed waiver on file helps protect your business from liability claims by demonstrating that guests acknowledged and accepted the risks of trampoline activities.
- Streamlined check-in process: Allowing guests to sign waivers in advance speeds up entry, reduces wait times, and minimizes congestion at the front desk.
- Easy access: Digital records can be retrieved instantly, eliminating the hassle of searching through stacks of paper. This ensures quick access if a dispute or insurance claim arises.
- Prevention of lost records: Unlike paper waivers, which can be misplaced, damaged, or difficult to organize, digital waivers are securely stored in the cloud, ensuring they are always accessible when needed.
Read more: Trampoline Park Liability Waivers: How a Digital Solution Can Make All the Difference
Well-trained staff are your best defense
Your employees play a critical role in maintaining a safe environment at your trampoline park. Well-trained employees can prevent accidents, reduce risks, and ensure guests feel supported throughout their visit.
Here are some key areas where staff training is essential:
- First aid training: All staff members should be trained to respond to injuries and medical emergencies. This includes knowing how to treat minor injuries on-site and when to escalate to professional medical assistance.
- Safety enforcement and guest assistance: Floor monitors should proactively remind guests of safety rules and assist when needed. Their presence helps reinforce good behavior, prevents dangerous stunts, and ensures that guests are following guidelines.
- Regular refresher courses: Ongoing training ensures that staff stay up to date with the latest safety protocols. Trampoline parks should conduct ongoing safety drills and refresher courses to ensure all staff members stay updated on emergency response procedures and evolving safety protocols.
Insurance and legal considerations
While enforcing safety measures reduces risks, accidents can still happen. Having the right insurance coverage and legal protections is essential for trampoline park operators. A comprehensive risk management plan ensures that parks are prepared for potential claims and liability challenges.
Important legal and insurance considerations include:
- Specialized liability coverage: Trampoline parks should carry insurance that covers injury-related claims. Standard business insurance may not be enough, so it’s important to work with an insurance provider that specializes in recreational facilities.
- Incident documentation: Keeping detailed records of all injuries and accidents helps protect the business in case of legal disputes. Well-documented reports, including witness statements, video footage, and medical response details, can be critical in defending against claims.
Track all injuries and incidents
Tracking injuries and near-misses is one of the most effective ways to identify safety risks and improve trampoline park operations. By keeping detailed records, operators can analyze patterns, adjust safety measures, and reduce the likelihood of recurring issues.
How incident tracking improves safety:
- Log all injuries in a central system: A centralized injury report system allows operators to identify accident-prone areas and make informed safety improvements before issues escalate.
- Adjust safety policies based on data: If certain areas of the park see frequent injuries, operators should consider modifying equipment, increasing padding, or adding extra staff supervision. Data-driven adjustments help prevent injuries before they occur.
By implementing these proactive safety and liability strategies, trampoline parks can reduce legal exposure, improve safety standards, and provide a better experience for all guests.
How to make guests feel safer in your trampoline park
When guests feel safe and confident during their visit, they’re more likely to return, recommend your park to others, and even book parties or group events. A strong focus on safety not only protects guests but also enhances their overall experience—turning first-time visitors into loyal customers.
Here’s how you can make guests feel safer at your trampoline park.
Clear signage and rule explanations
Providing clear, easy-to-understand safety instructions is one of the best ways to prevent accidents. When guests know what’s expected of them before they start jumping, they’re more likely to follow the rules. Trampoline parks can use multiple methods to communicate safety guidelines effectively, including:
- Post visible safety signs throughout the venue: Rules should be posted in key locations, such as entrances, check-in areas, and jump zones, using simple language and easy-to-read graphics. This ensures guests can quickly understand safety guidelines at a glance.
- Show pre-jump safety videos: Playing a short safety video at check-in ensures that all guests receive a consistent safety briefing before jumping. This is especially useful for large parks where staff may not be able to explain the rules to every visitor individually.
- Multilingual instructions: If your park serves a diverse audience, offering rules in multiple languages ensures all guests can fully understand safety expectations.
- Listing all rules in waivers: Your waiver should contain a clear list of safety rules, ensuring that guests acknowledge and agree to them before participating. Having this in writing makes it easier to enforce rules if needed.
- Publishing safety rules on the venue website: Many guests visit a park’s website to check pricing, book tickets, or learn about attractions. A dedicated safety page allows them to review the rules before arrival, ensuring they come prepared.
By using a combination of clear signage, digital waivers, online safety pages, pre-jump safety videos, and multilingual communication, trampoline parks can help guests understand and follow safety guidelines before they even start jumping.
Dedicated safety staff on the floor
Having well-trained staff actively monitoring trampoline areas is key to enforcing safety rules and assisting guests when needed. Floor monitors play a crucial role in preventing accidents by identifying and addressing potential risks before they escalate.
Safety monitors should wear bright, recognizable uniforms or vests so guests can quickly locate them if they need assistance. Instead of waiting for rule violations to occur, staff should actively remind guests of safety guidelines and step in when necessary to prevent unsafe behavior. When guests see attentive staff enforcing rules and providing assistance, they feel more secure, which enhances their overall experience.
Conduct regular safety and emergency preparedness drills
Even with the best safety precautions, accidents can still happen. Having a structured emergency response plan in place ensures that staff can act quickly and effectively when needed. Regular training and preparedness drills help ensure that all team members know how to respond in various emergency scenarios. This preparation can make a significant difference in minimizing response times and keeping guests safe.
Use customer feedback to improve safety
Guest feedback is one of the most valuable tools for identifying and addressing safety concerns. Listening to guests allows trampoline park operators to recognize potential hazards and make ongoing improvements to safety measures, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.
- Send post-visit surveys: Sending automated guest surveys after each visit provides real-time insights into safety concerns. Guests who experience or observe potential risks can highlight them in their responses.
- Address recurring complaints: If multiple guests mention the same safety issue—such as slippery surfaces, inadequate supervision, or equipment concerns—operators should investigate and make necessary adjustments to prevent accidents.
- Communicate improvements to guests: Letting guests know that their feedback has led to safety enhancements builds trust and reinforces the park’s dedication to maintaining a safe environment. Whether through social media, email updates, or signage in the park, acknowledging guest input helps improve overall satisfaction and confidence.
Conclusion: creating a safer trampoline park experience
Prioritizing safety is the key to ensuring a fun, worry-free experience for guests at your trampoline park. By enforcing clear safety rules, training staff, implementing strong risk management policies, and educating visitors, operators can significantly reduce risks while enhancing the overall guest experience.
A well-run, safety-first park not only minimizes legal risks but also fosters guest confidence, repeat visits, and positive word-of-mouth. Taking proactive steps today will help create a safer, more successful trampoline park—one where guests can jump with confidence and return for years to come.
Looking to improve safety at your trampoline park? Book a demo to learn how ROLLER can help you streamline operations and reduce risks at your trampoline park with digital waivers and automated guest feedback software.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended as legal advice. Venues should coordinate with the appropriate bodies for specific information about regulations and guidelines.
