Bouncing on a trampoline can be a blast, but they can be a menace, as well. Recall a scene from the TV show, "The Simpsons," where the neighborhood children start out having fun bouncing on a trampoline, only to find themselves sprawled out on the ground in pain. The risks are no laughing matter, as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that in 2001 alone, there were about 91,870 emergency-room visits related to trampoline injuries. Many dangers, however, can be avoided if you know what to look out for and are willing to follow some careful advice.
Multiple Users
A 1998 study published in the journal Pediatrics found that 75 percent of trampoline injuries occurred when there was more than one person on the trampoline at one time. Since then, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has urged manufacturers to include warnings about multiple users on its labels and has recommended that children younger than 6 not be allowed to use trampolines.
Improper Form
A simple bounce on your feet or butt probably will keep you out of trouble on a trampoline. But if you start doing flips and twists and land incorrectly, your risk of injury climbs. The experts at Safety.com recommend not doing somersaults on a trampoline. They also suggest jumping in bare feet, as socks can slip. Keep the trampoline clean and well-maintained, performing such jobs as oiling the spring hooks that attach to the frame and checking for damage often.
Springs
In a University of Utah study of more than 700 trampoline accidents, about 28 percent of the injuries that required medical attention happened when users fell off the trampoline. The other risk is landing on or through the springs that attach to the frame. Preventing young children from using the trampoline and proper maintenance and attention to form and safety rules can go a long way toward reducing these kinds of injuries.
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