Springfree, the New Zealand-based producer of the world’s safest trampoline is calling for the Government to regulate
trampoline safety after Consumer New Zealand announced theirs was the only trampoline in New Zealand to pass its safety
testing with no major or minor failures.
Consumer NZ has tested trampoline safety three times since 2012 and in each round every other trampoline has failed
safety tests. Springfree Trampoline is the only trampoline to continually pass and receive the Consumer New Zealand Recommends tick for the past eight years.
“This is the eighth year running that we’re recommending Springfree. Their commitment to safety is something that is at
the core of everything they do, and being Consumer Recommended is an appropriate acknowledgement of this commitment,”
says Jon Duffy, Chief Executive of Consumer NZ.
In the last five years 67,304 trampoline accidents requiring medical attention were reported to ACC – with more than
12,000 of those injury claims occurring in 2020 at a cost of just over $10.5 million.
Megan McKenzie, General Manager of Springfree New Zealand, says the Government must bring in a mandatory trampoline
safety standard.
“Trampolines of any quality can be sold regardless of how much risk they present to children. Unfortunately there are
quite a few hazardous trampolines on the market,” says McKenzie.
The original New Zealand trampoline safety standard was last updated in 1997 and only required a trampoline edge to be
padded – which was never enforced.
“The voluntary standard was removed in 2015, since the regulations were ignored and ineffective, with the idea that they
would be replaced by the Australian standard – but this never happened,” says McKenzie.
Consumer NZ uses the Australian standard (AS4989) to test New Zealand trampolines.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, closed borders means more Kiwis are spending money at home – including on entertainment
purchases like pools, spas and trampolines. Springfree has seen a 30% spike in sales from 2020 compared with the
previous year.
“Our concern is that with people buying more items like trampolines, they need to be aware of what they are buying and
the serious dangers associated with some of the trampolines on the market,” says McKenzie.
“The consequences for people, especially children, could be even higher if the Government does not implement a mandatory
safety standard.”
ACC data shows children and teenagers are more at risk, with the majority of injuries occurring in those aged 14 or
below. The type of injuries range from neck, head and limb fractures, lacerations, hematomas, soft tissue injuries,
internal organ injuries, dislocations and concussions.
“Beyond children over-extending themselves, there are three main causes of injury on a trampoline: falling-off, impact
with the frame or springs, and colliding with other children” says Professor Keith Alexander, inventor of the Springfree
trampoline and professor of engineering at Canterbury University.
“Most families will see a trampoline that has padding over the springs, and nets to prevent falling off, and assume that
this makes it safe, but in some trampolines these essential safety features are only cosmetic and will quickly
deteriorate or fail with use. Trampolines where the company has built to global standards, will clearly state these on
their website and packaging.
“One of the main issues for consumers is that many trampolines carry confusing labelling that refers to a universal
‘manufacturing standard’ or say it ‘complies with all standards’. This is misleading and provides people with a false
assurance of safety.”
Professor Alexander is a member of the Trampoline Standards Committee in the United States and contributed to the
development of the Australian trampoline standard.
He spent 15 years researching and designing the Springfree trampoline, which eliminates around 90% of trampoline-related
injuries. It is designed and manufactured to keep its protection systems intact for the life of the trampoline and each
model is tested to three million jumps to ensure its quality, durability, and most of all, safety.
“Safety is our top priority and we urge other trampoline manufacturers to follow our example,” says McKenzie.
“We’re already researching the next generation of our trampoline – to ensure we constantly improve the safety of our
product for Kiwi families.”