Backyard trampolines are a great source of fun for kids in Texas. However, trampolines are well known amongst ER doctors, as they often lead to broken bones, lacerations, and many other injuries. Statistics show that a variety of trampoline injuries are quite common when kids take part.
According to the Mayo Clinic, 1 million people experienced trampoline injuries over a 9 year period, spanning from 2002 to 2011. While it’s true that life-threatening injuries are thankfully rare, moderate to severe injuries are exceedingly common. Additionally, these injuries don’t merely impact the children jumping. In some cases, children on the sidelines were injured when a child jumped from the trampoline to the yard. Kids hiding underneath trampolines also experience a risk of injury.
Based on this evidence, parents must make every effort to keep their children safe when they have trampolines on their property. Parents Magazine recommends only allowing one child at a time, as when injuries often occur when two or more children are jumping together. Netting around the trampoline is another crucial safety feature. This netting should prevent kids from falling off, although it’s not always successful. Accordingly, children should be taught to remain within the net at all times and not attempt to jump over it.
Also, make sure the trampoline is placed on solid, even ground. This makes it less likely to fall over while kids are jumping. You can also safeguard your kids against the sharp edges of the metal frame. This can be achieved by installing shock-absorbing padding on any metal pieces. Regularly inspect padding to see if it’s tearing or fraying. If so, be sure to replace it before an injury occurs.