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By Diane Griffith, HealthAtoZ writer
Trampolines may be lots of fun and a great way to exercise, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that they're hazardous to kids and aren't worth the risk.
The AAP says trampolines aren't meant to be used as play equipment and - because of the high rate of injuries - advises against having trampolines at schools, on outdoor playgrounds and in your own backyard.
Types of injury
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2003, backyard trampolines injured more than 211,000 children. Between 2002 and 2003, the number of trampoline injuries increased by more than 13,500 - almost 7 percent. Serious injuries have involved all parts of the body, including the arms, legs, neck, face and head.
The most serious of trampoline injuries occur to the head and neck, and usually take place when kids attempt flips and other gymnastic maneuvers. Each year, children are paralyzed for life because of such injuries. The rate of injury is highest for children under the age of 6.
Younger children are at greater risk for fractures, while older kids more often suffer strains and sprains. Cervical spine injuries are rare, but between 1990 and 2004, six deaths were reported, mostly due to falls from trampolines. Most of the deaths involved spinal cord injuries.
Causes
Most trampoline injuries (a staggering 75 percent) occur when more than one person is jumping at a time. Sometimes, two bouncers collide. Other times, the momentum of one jumper will cause the other jumper to lose control and land improperly. The person weighing less is five times more likely to be injured than the heavier person.
Injury can also occur when a jumper falls off the trampoline, tries to jump off the trampoline, falls on the springs or frame of the trampoline, or attempts a stunt.
Trampolines are often placed too close to trees, fences, poles and playground equipment, causing jumpers to strike hard surfaces if they do fall. Equipment is not always well-maintained, causing it to tear, rust or come apart, which can lead to serious injury.
In other cases, ladders are kept next to trampolines to help give jumpers easier access, but this practice also allows young children to roam onto them and risk injury. Trampoline owners should never leave a ladder in a place that would jeopardize the safety of a young, unattended child.
Prevention
Adult supervision at all times and the placement of spotters around the net are recommended as ways to reduce the rate of trampoline injuries. Safety enclosures - high nets that surround the trampoline - can cut down on injuries. Digging a pit so the jumping surface can be placed at ground level is also recommended.
Although these methods may decrease the risk of injury, none of them are foolproof. Supervision is not an infallible method, since half of all trampoline accidents occur when children are being watched by an adult. Installing ground-level trampolines and safety nets may help reduce the number of fall-off injuries, but won't prevent other types of accidents.
If you're considering buying a trampoline, weigh the pros and cons carefully. Following strict safety rules can cut down on the risks, but there is only one way to guarantee that no trampoline accidents will happen in your backyard - and that's to not own one.
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External Sources
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American Academy of Pediatrics
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
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Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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