Trampolines have a way of putting a smile on a kid’s face, and everyone who gets on them knows the thrill that comes with jumping on one. You get a temporary feeling that you’re flying, and the activity requires very little energy and effort on your side. However, just how safe are trampolines?
Trampoline jumping is not as safe as you would expect as it results in more accidents than you would expect. The most vulnerable are children, with most suffering fractures and sprains in the legs or arms. Severe accidents like neck and head injuries are also becoming common.
That’s not all, as you still need to know the appropriate age for a trampoline, how likely the accidents are to occur, and three tips to make them safer, which you will learn if you read on.
How Safe are Trampolines?
There is no denying that trampoline jumping is an exciting experience, which leaves a lasting memory to anyone who gets on one. Kids can’t seem to get their eyes off a trampoline once they come across one. Some even request to have one during their birthday parties. However, what seems like a fun activity can turn fatal without warning.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, trampolines pose more danger to children, as they can suffer broken bones, sprains, and fractures. Such injuries could alter their lives, with the danger of severe risks like neck and head injury only a few jumps away.
The odds of such accidents occurring increase when more than one child is jumping on a trampoline. That’s why it’s always best to limit the number of children on a trampoline at one time.
What Age is Appropriate for a Trampoline?
Now that you know trampolines aren’t the safest, you may be wondering what age your child should be before using one.
Only children above six years should be allowed on a trampoline. It’s also best to have kids of similar age on a trampoline to avoid any injuries-related accidents. Adult supervision is required if it’s a must for younger kids to be on a trampoline.
Also, kids with disabilities should not be allowed on a trampoline as they are more likely to get injured.
How Common are Trampoline Accidents?
Trampoline is one of the leading causes of injuries in the US, with most of the injuries being fractured and broken bones.
According to HuffPost, over one million people sought emergency medical attention due to injuries related to the trampoline. Nearly a third of these injuries were broken bones, and 92% of the total injuries were kids below 16.
The astonishing figures show how dangerous this sport is, even to experienced kids. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended avoiding trampoline jumping at all costs. Around 2% of these injuries were life-threatening, such as spinal injuries and skull fractures. Children below 9 were more vulnerable to injuries given their bodies’ fragility and lack of experience using the equipment.
Three Tips to Make Trampoline Safe
If you can’t avoid getting a trampoline, you can adopt some safety measures to keep the kids safe. However, these measures don’t eliminate the risk of injuries entirely, but they help to keep them minimal. They include:
Use Protective Nets and Pads
Most accidents on trampolines are caused by falling over, and a protective net helps to keep the kids contained within the equipment. The nets are also strong enough to withstand any impact, and you can detach them once they’re done playing. These pads are affordable, and you can get one from your local supplier.
Set the Trampoline on Ground Level
Besides falling, kids often have difficulty accessing the trampoline if it’s too far from the ground. Make sure it’s only a few feet from the ground, making it easier for them to climb up and down without needing assistance.
No Unsupervised Jumping
A lot of trampoline accidents happen when there is little to no supervision. Make sure there’s an adult present at all times to control the kids. Also, make sure you talk to the kids about the importance of safe jumping to keep them safe.
Outro
Trampolines are fun and breathtaking, but they’re also very dangerous. It’s easy to get broken bones and fractures from falling from a trampoline. Also, fatal accidents like a broken neck and spinal injuries can result from trampoline accidents.
Over 300,000 people get injured every year from the trampoline, and the numbers are increasing lately. Safety measures like setting the trampoline closer to the ground, having an adult to supervise, and attaching safety nets and pads could help to reduce the accident frequency.