When to Schedule Your Safety Net Replacement
Author: Jump Star Trampolines Date Posted:8 December 2025
Safety nets play a big part in keeping trampolines safe, especially when young kids are involved. Designed to keep falls in check and edges out of reach, a good-quality net can give peace of mind every time someone jumps. But like any outdoor equipment, it won’t last forever. Over time, especially in a place like Perth, safety nets can start to wear down without you even noticing at first.
Perth’s hot summers and dry conditions are tough on trampoline materials. The combination of strong sun, gusty winds, and temperature swings can wear out even the best trampoline nets quicker than you’d think. Since summer is often when kids are using the trampoline the most, it’s worth checking your net from time to time so you can replace it before it becomes a risk.
Recognising Signs Your Safety Net Needs Replacement
Most people don’t look too closely at their trampoline net unless something big happens, like a visible tear or a fall. But nets tend to wear out bit by bit. The earlier you catch the signs, the easier it is to deal with things before they turn into real problems.
Look out for the following signs:
- Fraying or tearing anywhere in the mesh
- Loose stitching, especially along the edges and near the zipper
- Gaps between the net and the poles
- Fading or brittleness from sun exposure
- Net sagging too much or losing its spring
Perth’s UV exposure can do a fair bit of damage to synthetic materials. Over time, nets lose their stretch and shape, becoming stiff and easier to tear. If you give the net a gentle tug and it doesn’t bounce back or feels rough to the touch, it might be getting close to the end of its life.
Inspections don’t have to be difficult. A quick look over the net before kids jump can go a long way. Run your hand along the seam where the mat and net meet. Look at where the net connects to the frame. Make sure the zipper works smoothly and check under the padding too. If the net has started sinking lower than it used to or looks like it’s tugging at the poles, it’s a sign the tension is off and could pose a risk.
A good example of this is a family who noticed their trampoline net felt a little slack during the school holidays. At first, they thought it was just the usual wear. But when they looked closer, they spotted two small tears near the zip entrance right where kids climb in. They caught it just in time before their youngest got his foot caught in it mid-jump. Replacing the net before it fully gave out helped avoid a much worse scenario later on.
The Safety Implications of a Worn-Out Net
When the net isn’t doing its job, the trampoline stops being as safe as it should be. Even if the bounce mat and springs are in good shape, the net is what keeps kids and teens from flying off the edge or landing hard on the ground.
Here’s what can happen when a safety net fails:
- Kids may fall off the trampoline and land awkwardly
- Limbs can get stuck in rips or loose areas
- The zip entry area becomes a weak spot where injuries can happen
- The net may no longer stop someone rolling into the pole or edge
It’s easy to think, “There’s still some fabric left. It’ll hold a bit longer,” but that doesn’t always work out. Once the fibres weaken or the seams start splitting, the net can rip further with just one wrong move. If it tears during use, someone could be hurt before anyone can react.
A sturdy net helps keep everyone on the mat and away from the frame, poles, or hard ground nearby. It prevents accidents when kids bump into each other or lose their balance. Whether your trampoline is used daily or just on weekends, having a net that’s still strong and snug around the mat adds an extra level of safety that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Scheduling Your Net Replacement
Perth’s weather doesn’t just test your trampoline’s safety net. It also affects the best time to schedule a replacement. With December right around the corner, it’s worth aiming to get your net sorted well before the summer holidays. That’s when the trampoline tends to get the most use, and you don’t want to be stuck with a damaged net just as the kids are ready to jump every day.
If your net’s already showing signs of wear or you’re coming up on a few years since you last replaced it, now’s a good time to take action. Late spring and early summer are ideal times to get ahead of the big heat and make sure everything’s in top shape for school holidays and backyard barbecues.
For families who include trampoline care in their regular maintenance routine, it helps to tie your replacement timetable to other outdoor prep tasks. That could be when you’re oiling the deck, inspecting the pool, or doing a general safety check of play equipment. Keeping it on a schedule stops the net from being forgotten until something urgent happens.
Net replacements also don’t take long when planned properly. So catching problems early gives you room to choose the best time, not the most urgent one. A rushed job just before a party or while school’s out adds stress. Planning ahead means less disruption at home and fewer disappointed faces when the trampoline is marked out of bounds.
Choosing the Right Replacement Net
When it's time to pick a new safety net, not all options are built to hold up under Perth’s sun and dry conditions. The combination of UV damage and daily wear makes it worth paying attention to more than just price.
Here are a few features to keep an eye out for when choosing a new net:
- High-quality UV-resistant material to help prevent fading, brittleness, and early tearing
- Reinforced stitching so the seams hold firm even with frequent use
- Full enclosure design for better security around all sides of the trampoline
- Easy-to-secure attachment points that reduce sagging and help keep tension even
- A size and shape that match your exact trampoline model
Aside from the materials, also consider the way the net connects to the trampoline. Some wrap around the outside of the springs, while others attach inside the frame. Each setup offers different levels of coverage depending on your trampoline’s frame design.
Perth’s weather can also wear out zippers faster than you'd expect. A zip entrance that gets stuck every few uses is not only annoying but risky if it breaks mid-play. Look for zippers with backing support and wide openings, so they don’t catch or tear with frequent use.
One local family who upgraded their old rectangular net before summer said the biggest difference was how much firmer and tighter the new one felt. Their previous net had started to sink, and the kids were brushing against the poles when they jumped. Once the new net was installed, the trampoline felt safer and more enclosed right away. Plus, the zip worked cleanly every time they packed it down.
Keep Bouncing Safely Through Summer and Beyond
A regular check-in on your trampoline's condition doesn’t take much time, but it makes a huge difference to safety and peace of mind. Safety nets wear slowly at first, then all at once if they’re ignored too long. Replacing them when they show signs of wear helps avoid bigger problems and stops them from getting in the way of all the summer fun.
Whether it’s a quick look before a weekend jump or a more careful check while cleaning up the yard, staying on top of wear and tear helps make sure the trampoline stays in good shape. Perth’s climate can be rough on outdoor play equipment, so it pays to do a little forward planning.
A fresh trampoline net might not be the flashiest upgrade, but it does a big job in the background. When it’s tight, strong, and damage-free, you get to enjoy those sunny afternoons without second guessing the safety of the trampoline. Keeping it that way is one job that's well worth ticking off the list before summer swings into full gear.
To keep your trampoline safe and ready for all the summer fun, it's important to ensure your net is in top condition. If you're noticing wear and tear, consider replacing your net to prevent accidents and maintain a secure bouncing environment. Explore our range and find a quality replacement trampoline net that fits your model. Jump Star Trampolines makes it easy to keep the fun going with durable, weather-ready options designed for Perth backyards.
