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Kids love trampolines and bouncy castles. We love watching them beaming with smiles when they have fun on trampolines. But it’s only until that. In the recent times, doctors and authorities have discouraged children from jumping trampolines and bouncy castles, especially the ones installed in family gardens.
The widespread use of trampolines prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to publish a policy statement on the use of trampolines by children and adolescents. The policy statement has strongly discouraged the home use of trampolines (1).
Apparently, trampolines have caused fractures and injuries of head, neck, and spine. The AAP, therefore, suggests that trampolines are suitable only when they are placed in organized training settings.
In the US, within a span of one month, 45 patients were recorded to have visited clinics with bounce-related injuries. Almost half of them were under ten years of age. Most of these injuries were breaks or sprains of arms and legs.
Another report released by Ireland’s Vhi SwiftCare Clinics says that 63 patients were treated for sprains and breaks after playing on bouncy castles and trampolines during the month of May in 2015. Throughout the summer, an incidence of 200 bounce-related injuries was reported.
Also, 60% of the injuries requiring treatments happened while children were playing on a trampoline and 40% occurred on a bouncy castle.
A study in the UK has found that at least 131 injuries in children were reported over a span of five months. While one-third of these injuries were fractures, the other injuries included cuts and sprains. The average age of the child affected was eight years. At the time of a trampoline-related accident, an average of 2.7 children were jumping on the equipment (2).
What could be the possible causes of accidents from trampolines or bouncy castles?
Well, it appears that most people don’t assemble them properly. Also, the AAP warns that there might be a false sense of security prevailing among children and parents alike.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) suggests that children under the age of six should not be allowed on trampolines that are less than 20 inches high or have a diameter of more than 10 feet. It is also suggested that children under the age of five years lack the required coordination for control landings. Therefore, there is a higher risk of fractures (3).
It is also evident that most of these injuries occur when there is more than one person on the trampoline. About 75% of the injuries occurred due to multiple people on the trampoline at one time. (4)
Lack of adult supervision has contributed to at least 46% of the injuries, while lack of safety net has caused 64% of the injuries. The AvonSafe report also suggests that the lightest person is more likely to get injured.
What kind of injuries can one expect on trampolines or bouncy castles?
Serious injuries can occur to the head and spinal cord. These usually happen due to the attempts to somersault on the bouncy equipment or over-extending of the neck. Those children who have not been coached adequately must be prevented from somersaulting or flipping.
What safety measures should be taken on the bouncy equipment?
- Adult supervision is mandatory.
- One person at a time on trampoline or bouncy castle.
- One should neither jump off nor try to climb under the equipment.
- The positioning of the trampolines should be appropriate – not close to fences, trees or hard surfaces.
- Children should bounce in the middle of the trampoline.
- Children should not wear shoes.
- Children should not carry sharp items or these equipment should contain any sharp objects.
If these precautions are taken, your child can enjoy playing on trampolines and bouncy castles and reap the benefits of playing on them.
