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Garden trampolines 'highly dangerous for children'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 25/09/2012.
Tags: Parenting Kids HealthParents have been warned about the high risk of injury that comes with allowing children to use garden trampolines.
The American Academy of Paediatrics has produced a new policy outlining the dangers associated with trampolining.
Co-author of the statement Dr Michele LaBotz commented: "Families need to know that many injuries occur on the mat itself and current data do not appear to demonstrate that netting or padding significantly decreases the risk of injury."
It was noted by the academy that most injuries result from children falling off the trampoline and collisions with other youngsters if they are bouncing at the same time.
The most common injuries include breaking or fracturing a bone or dislocating a joint, with 75 per cent of these occurring when more than one person is on a trampoline.
However, president of the Society for Sports and Exercise Medicine in the UK Professor Mark Batt claimed trampolines also provide health benefits, as they help to raise activity levels.
He urged parents not to ban their children from trampolining, but rather supervise them at all times and encourage those that would otherwise do very little exercise to enjoy the pastime.
Written by Donal Walsh
Fiona
(10-10-2012 12:30)
Only a month ago my daughter (10) was playing on her friends trampoline, we thought it was safe as it had covers on the springs and a safety net, however my daughter fell on her side and hurt her back. She ended up having to be taken by ambulance on a spinal board and neck brace and it took several hours before we were told there was no long term damage. It was terrifying, however like the above article mentioned there was two children on the trampoline at the time. I thought I'd share my story so parents could realise how dangerous they can be regardless of the safety equipment in place.
Anne
(11-10-2012 14:38)
When you buy the trampoline, it is written the max. weight and that only one child at the same time. They even give you a leaflet to stick in the trampoline with the rules, so parents has the responsability to supervise that the rules are respected.