We’ve known for quite some time that trampolines can be one of the most dangerous activities for a child, or even an adult. If you have been following our blog, you know that certain trampoline injuries result in the same impact to the body as a 90MPH car crash. If you are just reading now, check out that blog post here. Lifelong care, traumatic brain injuries, serious fractures, are all unfortunate realities for a child who has suffered a catastrophic trampoline park injury.
Dr. Nancy Hadley Miller, of the Children’s Hospital of Colorado, stated that “While trampolines are a great source of fun and exercise for children, the potential for injury, particularly in recreational areas with an underlying business incentive, needs to be recognized.” Dr. Miller and her team tracked the data from the U.S. Government Health and found that “broken bones suffered by children while on trampolines has risen by an average of about 4% each year between 2008 and 2017.”
Dr. Miller presented this data at the National Conference for Pediatrics the weekend of October 25, 2019 according to Robert Preidt. Dr. Miller is pushing for “future messages to parents and legislators should also focus on injuries that happen in these entertainment facilities,” instead of injuries that happen at the home.
In the last 9 years, the percent of broken bones related to trampoline related accidents essentially doubled from 3.6% to 6.2%.
In addition to Dr. Miller, Dr. Michael Grosso also believes that avoiding trampolines might not be a bad idea. Dr. Grosso is chief of pediatrics at Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital. He states: “There are so many safer ways for kids to exercise, I think it’s incumbent on us to suggest that this particular activity be avoided, even as we continue to promote running, walking, cycling, swimming and other activities that promote fitness and weight control.”
Dr. Miller and Dr. Grosso are but a few of the many doctors who have spoken about trampoline park safety, or lack thereof. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a safety guideline for trampoline park use. If you haven’t read it, here it is, we highly recommend it.
The bottom line is that children are getting hurt, and something needs to be done. Change starts with us, it starts with education, it starts with action in the legislature, and it ends with less children getting hurt.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20191025/kids-trampoline-injuries-take-another-bounce-upwards#1
(Robert Preidt)
https://consumer.healthday.com/general-health-information-16/injury-health-news-413/kids-trampoline-injuries-take-another-bounce-upwards-751471.html
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Advises-Against-Recreational-Trampoline-Use.aspx/