Does Trampoline Cause Static Shock? 8 Tips to Avoid This

Do you ever experience static shock on the trampoline? Any type of electric shock is annoying and you never expect so, right? Although trampoline electric shock isn’t too severe, still you should be careful to avoid this.

The build-up of electrons or charges on the trampoline or jumper’s body could result in electric shock on the trampoline. Rubbing between the jumper feet and trampoline mat is a prime reason behind this. There are several ways to avoid this situation like using shoes, grounding the trampoline, applying the anti-static spray, and many more.

In this article, I will reveal the causes of static shocks on trampolines and how to stop electric shocks on trampolines. Let’s get the hacks.

How Does Static Electricity Build on a Trampoline?

Do you know what causes static electricity on the trampoline? This occurs due to friction force between two surfaces like your feet and jump bed. It occurs mainly in dry air.

Your body and trampoline mat have differently charged materials. When you jump on the trampoline you come into contact with the trampoline and separate frequently. This causes rubbing between you and the trampoline mat which creates electron or static electricity.

how to avoid static shock on trampoline

Here are some important facts-

  • If the trampoline mat is made from polypropylene, nylon, or polyester it builds up a positive charge.
  • Clothing like silk, wool, or fur clothes gets positively charged quickly.
  • Dry skin may be another thing that charges positively.
  • Polyester, rubber, or vinyl materials build a negative static charge.

When the trampoline or your body is charged, the charges (electrons) stay there until they can jump to another body having opposite charges. If you touch the jumper or trampoline in this situation, you may feel static shock then.

See Also: Trampoline double bouncing explained

Reasons for Experiencing Trampoline Static Shocks

There are several factors that can influence static shock while trampolining or rebounding. Some of them are-

  • If the humidity level of the air is too low, there is a higher chance of getting a static shock while trampolining. This is because dry air is more conducive than wet air to the build-up of static electricity.
  • Trampoline with a lack of grounding will cause more static shocks.
  • Trampoline material itself can contribute to static shocks. Nylon, polypropylene, or polyester material mat can generate more static electricity while jumping there.
  • Water on the trampoline may increase the chance of static shocks on the trampoline.
  • If lots of electrons build up on the jumper’s body, the chance of getting shocked will rise.
  • Old or worn trampolines have a higher possibility of getting a static shock.

See Also: Trampoline cleaning tips

How to Avoid Static Shock on a Trampoline?

No one except electric shock on a trampoline. So, it’s important to take the necessary actions to prevent this. Some of the effective ways are explained below.

Why Do Trampolines Give Electric Shocks

1. Barefoot Jumping

Jumping barefoot may reduce the chance of trampoline static shock greatly. It’s recommended to avoid wearing socks as these may collect electrons and give you more shock.

See Also: Barefoot vs socks vs shoes on the trampoline

2. Grounding

To get rid of the trampoline static shock, it’s important to ground the trampoline and yourself. If you are wondering, how to ground a trampoline, you can do the following things.

  • To ground or insulate the trampoline, you can attach the metal wire to the trampoline frame or legs. This will pass the electrons into the earth easily and prevent electric shock.
  • You can carry a coin or key in the zipper pocket of the pant to prevent static shock. As metal is a good conductor thus it will disperse the produced charges quickly.

See Also: Trampoline anchoring kits

3. Humidifier/Misting Fan

Another effective way to prevent electrostatic shocks on trampolines is to use a humidifier or misting fan around the trampoline. This will increase the moisture in the air thus the humidity will rise.

In this way, it will help to reduce the buildup of extra charges on the trampoline and keep the jumper safe from static shock.

4. Anti-Static Spray

There are some anti-static sprays that can reduce and prevent trampoline static shock. You can apply this to the mat before bouncing on the trampoline. This will create an extra layer on the trampoline mat that prevents building static electricity on the trampoline.

See Also: Tips to stop trampoline squeak

5. Wear Shoes

You can wear rubber-soled shoes during trampolining as it acts as an insulator. But don’t jump with synthetic soles as these may work as conductors and cause more severe electric shocks.

6. Wear Cotton Cloth

Consider cotton cloth while bouncing on the trampoline to reduce electrostatic shock. But avoid wool clothing.

7. Stay Hydrated

If you jump on the trampoline in a dehydrated condition, there is a high chance of getting a static shock. So, drink plenty of water and get hydrated well before trampolining or rebounding.

8. Avoid Bad Weather

Static electricity may accumulate on trampolines in dry and windy conditions. So, avoid this weather. Also, cancel trampolining if it’s thunderstorms outside.

The following video explains some ways to stop static shock on the trampoline.

People Also Ask

a) Why does my hair stand straight during trampolining?

Ans: Maybe you notice the hair-raising effect while trampolining. This occurs due to the building up of electrons in the body. If this happens the hair will repel each other due to a negative charge on each and will straighten.

b) How serious is the trampoline electric shock?

Ans: Trampoline could give you static shocks like 50 volts. So, it’s not too severe, however, it could be a bad experience for children. And, sometimes it may cause sparking.

See Also: Side effects of trampolining and rebounding

Conclusion

So, can trampolines cause static shock? Yes, you may experience electric shocks on a trampoline due to the buildup of static electricity on its jump surface or the jumper’s body. However, you can reduce and stop it by grounding the trampoline, wearing shoes, applying the anti-static spray, and several other ways.

Hopefully, you can now take proper action to avoid static shock on the trampoline. Now enjoy safe trampolining!

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