Injuries to children playing on trampolines are on the rise, mainly because they have increased in popularity, and the Sugar Land Fire Department is reminding parents to exercise care when allowing their children to use a trampoline.
“Most of us have been on a trampoline at some point in our life and believe them to be relatively harmless amusements,” said Sugar Land Fire Capt. Michael McLemore. “However, we need to be vigilant to ensure our children are as safe as possible. This can be particularly true at a birthday party or other activity with many distractions. The injuries that occur can be quite devastating,”
In 2004, approximately 93,000 children ages 14 and under were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for trampoline-related injuries. More than 90 percent of these injuries happened on home trampolines.
The most common causes of injuries on trampolines include:
- colliding with another person on the trampoline; almost 75 percent of injuries on trampolines result when more than one person is on the trampoline at the same time;
- landing improperly while jumping or doing stunts on the trampoline;
- falling or jumping off the trampoline; and
- falling on the trampoline springs or frame.
The Sugar Land Fire Department recommends the following safety tips when using a trampoline:
- Allow only one person on the trampoline at a time.
- Do not attempt or allow somersaults because landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis.
- Do not use the trampoline without shock-absorbing pads that completely cover its springs, hooks and frame.
- Place the trampoline away from structures, trees and other play areas.
- No child under 6 years old should use a full-size trampoline. Do not use a ladder with the trampoline because it provides unsupervised access by small children.
- Trampoline enclosures can help prevent injuries from falls off trampolines, but do not replace adult supervision.
