Safety Concerns with Jumpking Trampoline

Having a backyard trampoline is a wonderful family activity, but while they are lots of fun, they also have been associated with serious injuries. Injuries can be caused if children are improperly supervised while on the trampoline, especially if more than one child at a time is jumping. However, injuries can also occur if the trampoline itself is of inferior quality or has manufacturing defects. This is why it is very important to choose a well-constructed trampoline from a reputable manufacturer.

The Jumpking trampoline calls itself the “original” trampoline. This manufacturer supplies trampolines to approximately 60 percent of the US trampoline market, according to the company’s website. The company began in 1948 with a merger of two of the then top trampoline manufacturers, and today Jumpking produces millions of trampolines and accessories.

The Jumpking trampoline has been the subject of quite a massive recall at the beginning of 2005. In cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Jumpking voluntarily recalled approximately 1 million trampolines, as well as about 296,000 “Fun Ring” enclosures that were sold separately. The defective trampolines were the 14-foot and 15-foot Jumpking trampolines – these trampolines all had eight legs that fit into perpendicular sockets welded to the top rails. Other Jumpking trampolines with weldless sockets that fit over the connecting top rail pieces were not included in this recall.

The company received over 47 complaints about one or more welds breaking on the Jumpking trampolines. This led to a variety of injuries being reported. The injuries included one concussion; head, neck, and back injuries; lacerations; bruises; sprains; and one broken arm. Twelve other reports were filed against Jumpking due to serious lacerations occurring when children came in contact with the enclosure brackets on the Fun Ring enclosures, which had defective sharp edges. Jumpking furnished free repair kits for anyone who had purchased the models in question.

The defective Jumpking trampolines were sold during July 1999 through February 2004, and prices ranged from $180 to $450. Jumpking trampolines are sold nationwide through discount, toy, and department stores.


What Jumpking Trampoline Says

Jumpking was purchased in June of 2005 by YJ USA, Inc, a company that previously operated as a cut-and-sew manufacturer for over twenty-five years. YJ houses three factories in China, while the Jumpking headquarters and distribution warehouse are based in Plano, Texas, where a full US staff is in place.

According to Jumpking, the recalled trampolines were made “many years ago” by the former owner of Jumpking. They go on to say that any Jumpking trampoline purchased today has been completely redeveloped and many design and manufacturing features have been upgraded. They claim that the Jumpking trampolines now exceed the ASTM standards and requirements.

Do Your Own Research

If you plan to buy a trampoline, you will want to explore all the major manufacturers available and compare their features and claims to the Jumpking trampoline. Safety has to be your first concern when looking into this equipment, and unfortunately there are many companies out there who are not careful enough to have safety be their first concern too.