Trampoline Safety

Kids love them, but are trampolines safe? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has collected reports of six deaths due to trampolines since 1990. "They're not a good toy for kids," says Dr. Gary Joubert, emergency department director at Children's Hospital of Western Ontario.

Parents should always supervise their children on the trampoline, and be sure to read the safety instructions. Too many people fail to read the instructions or decline to wear a helmet or other protective gear, raising the level of accidents to an all-time high.

The main causes of injury and death include colliding with another person on the trampoline; landing improperly while jumping or doing stunts; falling or jumping off the trampoline; and falling on the springs or frame.

The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia offers some basic rules for trampoline use that will reduce the risk of injury.

• Set the trampoline up away from fences and garages, and away from overhanging objects such as branches or clotheslines. Place it so that it can be easily supervised at all times.
• Inset the trampoline in the ground in a hole slightly wider and longer than the trampoline frame and deep enough so that the mat is level with the ground. This allows for safer and easier access to the trampoline, and reduces the falling height.
• Using impact absorbing under-surfacing- 300mm deep and to a distance of 2 meters. This is particularly important if the trampoline is not set into the ground.
• Springs should be in good condition and should be fitted with a safety pad to cover springs and frame. Hooks should be face down.
• Use a spirit level to check that, when installed, the trampoline is level.
• Keep the area beneath and around the trampoline clear of clothes, toys and other items, which could be thrown onto the trampoline when in use. This also reduces the risk of users being injured when climbing off or falling off the trampoline.
• Only one person at a time should be allowed on the trampoline. All other children should be at a distance, not sitting on the springs or leaning against the frame. This avoids bumping into or falling over each other.
• Young children and inexperienced people should be supervised. They will not learn safe trampolining by themselves nor develop expertise without guidance. There should also be someone available to give or seek help if there is an accident. Training on mounting and dismounting should be taught before children use the trampoline.
• In the absence of proper training or immediate supervision simple moves are best. Somersaults and other complex maneuvers increase the risk of spinal and head injury.
• Wear clothing that allows free movement but is not loose enough to hamper arms and legs. Bare feet or trampoline slippers are best; socks can make feet slip. No jewelry should be worn. Loose articles such as money, keys, combs, etc. should not be carried.
• Apply oil or petroleum jelly to the springs where they hook into the frame. This will reduce squeaking of the springs and the wear on the frame hole.
• Regularly clean the mat by hosing with clean water and lightly scrubbing. Do not use detergents as they can affect the material and if not fully removed could make the mat's surface slippery or sticky.
• Tip the trampoline onto its side when not in use.