Since most trampolines have to stay outdoors year-round, it’s inevitable that they’ll face the winter cold. As snow and ice roll in, some trampoline owners wonder if it’s okay to jump on it during this time or if they should leave it alone until spring comes around again.
As long as your trampoline hasn’t frozen over, it’s safe to jump on it in winter. If the jump pad has frozen, however, you should wait; you could damage the trampoline or hurt yourself. Be sure to take the appropriate maintenance steps by keeping your trampoline covered and anchoring it down.
Let’s take a closer look at whether it’s safe to jump on a trampoline in winter as well as how to properly maintain your trampoline through the colder months.
There are a couple of reasons why people tend to think it’s best to avoid jumping on a trampoline in winter.
The first is that people are concerned about is potential health issues. It’s often assumed that those who spend time outside in the winter will catch a cold or another illness.
Although spending too much time outside in low temperatures can be dangerous, the common cold doesn’t actually come from the cold weather. There are therefore no major health risks — as long as you’re bundled up!
The second reason people may think it’s not okay to jump on a trampoline in winter is for the good of the trampoline itself. While you do need to take some maintenance steps if you have very cold winters, it’s generally fine to use a trampoline in all seasons — given that there’s no extreme weather, of course.
Can You Jump on a Frozen Trampoline?
Even though it’s generally okay to use your trampoline in winter, you should still avoid using it if it’s actually frozen over. In such cases, the jump pad will be brittle, making it susceptible to breakage.
This is not only a potential problem for the trampoline but also a hazard for the person jumping. The jump pad could break and cause an injury.
So, if you do happen to go outside and attempt to use your trampoline in the winter, then make sure it hasn’t frozen over.
How to Maintain Your Trampoline in Winter
If you want your trampoline to stay in good condition through harsh weather conditions like the winter cold, there are a few important steps to take:
Get a Weather Cover
A trampoline weather cover (on Amazon) won’t do much to keep out the cold temperatures, but it will keep the snow and rain from damaging your trampoline. Moisture can wear down a trampoline over time, and if it keeps getting wet, the moisture is likely to freeze over.
Remove Snow
If snow does get onto your trampoline, make sure you remove it frequently. Large amounts can weigh down the trampoline and cause excessive strain or breakage.
Anchor the Trampoline Down
When there are bursts of snow and wind, your trampoline stands more of a chance of being knocked away or even blown out of your yard in the wind. Anchoring the trampoline to the ground can help prevent this.
Not only will anchors (on Amazon) keep your trampoline steady and safe but, more importantly, they will protect others around you, as wayward trampolines can cause severe injuries.
Make sure you get the appropriate anchoring set since some trampolines are bigger than others. One that’s too small or light may not be able to hold your trampoline down.
Inspect the Trampoline Regularly
It’s important to go outside and inspect your trampoline regularly, even if it’s anchored down and has a weather cover on it. Accidents happen, and the weather cover could blow off or snow could accumulate underneath it, causing damage.
This is especially important to do before the trampoline gets used again. As winter begins to recede, you should ensure the jump pad is fully functional before allowing anyone to bounce on it again. If it isn’t, you could end up with a broken jump pad or a very bad injury.
Test the jump pad with your hand before putting anyone’s full body weight on the trampoline after winter.
The Final Word
Generally, it should be fine to use your trampoline in mild winters. However, if you get particularly cold winters, lots of snow, or there’s any risk of freezing, you should be cautious. You should never jump on the trampoline when the jump pad has frozen. It may be worth investing in a high quality trampoline that can withstand colder temperatures.
Anchor your trampoline down and invest in a weather cover; these accessories will help your trampoline survive the winter so that it’s ready for use as soon as things warm up a little.
