Bouncing on a backyard trampoline can be fun for kids of all
ages. But the inherent dangers
associated with trampolines are making parents pack these up and ship them off
to the dump. Doctors at the American Association of Pediatrics are warning that
trampoline use could cause serious injury to children..
With over 97,000
trampoline injuries reported per year and over 3,000 hospitalizations, parents
are reconsidering this childhood pastime.
Parental supervision doesn’t seem to be an adequate deterrent when there
are dangers lurking in worn out pads, springs poking out, and netting that
doesn’t stop a fall.
"One-third to one-half of all trampoline-related injuries
happened with an adult supervising trampoline use," says Susannah Briskin,
MD, a co-author of the policy statement. "If injuries are still occurring,
adults are likely not appropriately monitoring behavior on the mat."
Trampolines
Are Especially Harmful to Small Children
No parent wants to see their pride and joy injured, but trampoline
injuries are a serious problem. 75% of
these injuries occur when multiple people are bouncing on the trampoline. According to the American Association of
Pediatrics, trampolines are 14% more likely to be a danger to small children
with injuries such as broken bones, concussions, bruises, cuts and gashes,
asphyxiation, and more. When big kids bounce next to their younger siblings,
it’s likely the big kid will fall on the younger child and trap him or her
beneath him.
This can lead to serious
problems.
Doctors such as Ruth Borgen, MD, medical director of the pediatric
emergency department at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, see
a lot of trampoline related injuries. "We see broken bones and bruises, or
kids who fall off the trampoline and break an arm. I tell my patients the recommendations from
AAP -- that you're at high risk for injury. The little kids aren't as
coordinated. Their heads are bigger than their bodies so they're more likely to
land on their heads."
Know How
To Protect Your Child
- Protect your child by ensuring he or she bounces alone.
- Don’t let your child bounce unsupervised.
- Follow all safety precautions recommended on the device.
- Keep the device properly maintained.
·
If Your
Child Has Been Injured On a Trampoline
If your child has been injured on a trampoline, you should seek
immediate medical attention. Consult
your home owner’s policy to see if trampoline accidents are covered. You may want to call an attorney to discuss
your legal remedies if your child has been injured on one of these devices.
