Trampoline Injuries On The Rise
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently reported a huge increase in trampoline related injuries. While trampolines may seem like a great source of entertainment and fun for you and your kids, they can also be dangerous if not handled correctly.
Trampoline Parks
Part of the spike in injuries is thought to be based around the fact that a lot of trampoline parks are popping up. They advertise free jumping times as well as exercise classes and dodgeball tournaments. All of these activities sound really fun, but you need to participate with caution. One wrong jump can send you directly to the emergency room.How Can An Injury Occur?
- Exposed springs on the edges of the trampoline- These are usually covered with padding, but with all the people jumping at a park, the springs can become exposed and cause risk for injury.
- Flips and somersaults gone bad- Attempting a flip or a somersault on a trampoline is more complicated than it sounds. The ground has give, making it more difficult to stick a landing.
- Trampolines on uneven ground- A trampoline needs to sit flat on the ground in order to properly distribute the weight of the person jumping. If it is not set on uneven ground, there is a good chance that one bounce could send the whole thing flipping over. The person jumping on the trampoline can be severely injured if this happens.
- Too many people jumping at once- Trampolines come with a weight limit for a reason. If too many people are jumping on the surface at once, it could split or rip under too much weight. Every trampoline is different, so it is important to adhere to the safety guidelines. Trampoline parks should have these posted somewhere for you to see.