Trampoline Safety  

Home trampolines are popular and seem like lots of fun, but they’re also dangerous. They cause thousands of injuries every year in the U.S. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents not to buy a home trampoline. This includes mini trampolines and large outdoor trampolines. They tell parents to encourage their child to get physical activity in other ways. This includes things like riding a bike, playing team sports, or playing backyard games.

High risk for harm

Injuries from trampolines can be serious. They include broken bones, concussions, and head injuries. In some cases, serious spinal cord injury and death can occur. Injuries can happen even when a trampoline has padding and a net enclosure. They can happen even when an adult is supervising. Children younger than age 6 are at greatest risk for harm. Trampoline injuries occur in many ways. They may happen when a jumper tries flips or other stunts. He or she may land badly, fall off, or fall on the trampoline spring or frame. If 2 or more people are jumping, they may crash into each other.

Trampoline injuries can include:

• Concussion

• Broken bones

• Sprains

• Bruises, scrapes, and cuts

• Head and neck injuries that can lead to paralysis or death

What to do

If you do have a home trampoline:

• Check your homeowner’s insurance. Make sure your policy covers trampoline injuries.

• Check the trampoline often for damage. Make sure all the protective padding is in place. Make sure the netting has no holes or rips. Repair any damage before it’s used again.

• Make sure an adult supervises all jumping time. Don’t let anyone on the trampoline without an adult nearby to watch.

• Make rules and enforce them. Permit only 1 person on the trampoline at a time. Forbid jumpers from doing tricks that can cause injury. This includes flips and somersaults. Don’t allow jumpers to jump with objects. They can cause injury to the jumper.