Put a kid in front of a trampoline and dare them NOT to jump on it. They can’t resist! Trampolines provide hours of fun for children (and even some adults), but how safe are they?
The answer is not very safe at all. Trampoline jumping poses a high risk of injury for children. The activity can result in strains, sprains, fractures and other injuries — including potentially serious head and neck injuries. In fact, over a ten year period, trampoline injuries accounted for nearly one million visits to emergency departments. Due to these alarming statistics, the American Academy of Pediatrics now strongly discourages the trampolines for residential backyard use. In addition, most home owner insurance policies don’t cover trampoline-related injuries.
Despite these risks, parents are still buying and kids are still jumping on trampolines. If you choose to allow your child to jump on a trampoline, here are a few safety tips to greatly reduce the chances of injury:
- Only allow children on trampolines with safety nets. Trampoline enclosures are special nets that surround the trampoline to ensure children don’t fall off.
- Make sure they are padded. Trampolines padding should cover the frame, springs and surrounding landing surfaces with shock-absorbing pads.
- Place the trampoline on level ground. Make sure it’s a safe distance from trees and other hazards.
- Limit trampoline activity. Allow only one person to use the trampoline at a time. Don’t allow somersaults or other potentially risky moves on the trampoline.
- Don’t allow unsupervised jumping. If you use a trampoline ladder, always remove it after use to prevent unsupervised access by children.
While following these rules won’t guarantee that your child won’t get injured on a trampoline, they can decrease the likelihood of having to take a trip to your local emergency department.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.