A Trampoline Is Not a Toy
Jacksonville, Florida, July 22, 2008 -- In 2004, approximately 93,000 children ages 14 and under were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for trampoline-related injuries -- up from nearly 83,400 in 1996. More than 90 percent of these injuries happened in home trampolines, and Safe Kids Northeast Florida joins the American Academy of Pediatrics in recommending against trampolines in the home and yard.
"Most trampoline injuries are muscle injuries or broken legs, not fatalities, but we also see head and neck injuries," says Cynthia Dennis, RN, Safe Kids Northeast Florida coordinator. "A concussion or an upper spine injury can be devastating in a child."
Although many trampoline injuries involve aerial stunts, falling onto the ground or floor, or landing on the springs or frame, more than half of trampoline injuries involve colliding with another jumper. "Even trampoline manufacturers say there shouldn't be more than one person on the trampoline at a time," says Dennis.
The AAP recommends that trampolines be used only as part of a supervised athletic training program -- not at home, at school or on playgrounds. In addition, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that no children under 6 years old use a full-size trampoline. Safe Kids supports both recommendations.
Based on the AAP's guidelines for the use of trampolines in supervised training programs, Safe Kids cautions parents and caregivers to look for these features in a supervised trampoline program:
"Remember, these guidelines are for organized training programs led by qualified trainers. A trampoline is not a toy and kids should not have access to a trampoline at home," says Dennis.
For more information about sports and recreation safety, visit www.usa.safekids.org.
