Trampoline Danger: More Kids Are Jumping Into The Emergency Room
(CBS4) - The number of trampoline "parks" is on the rise, and so is the number of kids winding up in the emergency room because of injuries.
A new study in the journal Pediatrics says that the number of children hurt bouncing around -- and not landing well -- is up from about 600 in the year 2010, to about 7,000 in 2014.
During the same time, the number of commercial trampoline parks has jumped from 25 to more than 350 during that same time frame. (And remember, these are approximately the number of injuries -- the stats don't count the kid who gets banged up and goes home).
What kind of injuries are we talking about? Well, think about what can happen when kids smack into each other, land on an edge, or simply land awkwardly: cuts, bruises, fractures and concussions.
But what about that trampoline you have in your backyard? Any safer? Not necessarily. The number of injuries that take place at home add up to more than 91,000 a year. (The nation's pediatricians aren't big fans of trampolines).
But here's why the Peds folks are even more worked up: the injuries that take place at the trampoline parks tend to be a lot more serious than those at home. More head, neck and complex fractures.
So what can you do?
When going the commercial route:
- Go at a less busy time
- One jumper per trampoline unit
- Make sure there is separation of kids who are large/small
- No flips (we don't like broken necks)
- Don't walk away -- supervise your child's activities.
And if you jump on, set a good example -- about 9 percent of all trampoline injuries happen to grown-ups who should know better.
Have fun and be safe as you play kangaroo, no matter where you are.
For more info visit healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/.
Dr. Dave Hnida is CBS4's Medical Editor. He blogs about the latest studies and trends in the health world. Read his latest blog entries, check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @drdavehnida
