\n<\/p>\n
Trampolines are fantastic fun for the kids. The downside: they could cause injuries and emergency room trips.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0American Association of Pediatrics (AAP)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)<\/a>\u00a0discourage trampoline use due to the risk of bruises, sprains, spinal cord damage, and bone breaks. If you want to put a number to it, there were\u00a0300,000 medically treated trampoline injuries in 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n There\u2019s just\u00a0one<\/i>\u00a0problem. If you take down your trampoline,\u00a0your kids could melt down.<\/p>\n Is there a middle ground? Learn the top 10 trampoline risks and hazards to spring your family toward safety.<\/p>\n It\u2019s healthy for kids to run and play. But what makes trampolines more dangerous than soccer, baseball, and other outdoor activities?<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ridden a bike, you\u2019ve probably scraped your knee. Trampolines, on the other hand, could send you into hard ground or catch your ankle in a spring.<\/p>\n Here are ten ways to help your kids avoid common trampoline risks<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Multiple bouncers can bump into one another or knock a smaller child into the springs or onto the ground. One at time may be tough, but it’s worth the wait.<\/p>\n It’s hard to control your momentum if you aren’t used to jumping. Misjudging the spin on a flip can cause you to land in an awkward position.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a good reason to ban flips on your family\u2019s trampoline.<\/p>\n Children of all ages need supervision. They find it impossible to resist the lure of jumping. So grab an iced tea, set up a lawn chair, and spend some quality time watching your kids have fun.<\/p>\n Stanford Children\u2019s Health<\/a>\u00a0says kids under the age of six are at greater risk for trampoline injuries such as broken bones, concussions, and sprains. Knowing this, you might want to keep the younger kids off the trampoline.\u00a0Or, make sure they only jump under the closest supervision.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A safety net around a trampoline can limit the chances of flying off and landing on the ground. The net won\u2019t keep you from landing on the frame or springs of the trampoline, both of which can cause significant injuries.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Speaking of springs, be sure to check them regularly. Springs get rusty, wear out, and break or come unhooked. Any of these situations can lead to an unsafe trampoline.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n You can reduce the risk of injury by covering your trampoline springs and frame with safety pads. These pads wear out quickly, so replace them when they start breaking down.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Teach your kids to stay in the center of the trampoline when they jump. Staying closer to the center keeps them away from the edge, where they could accidentally bounce off the trampoline.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Stay away from trees, lampposts, flagpoles, and structures that could cause injuries if your child jumps into them.<\/p>\n Don’t store anything under the trampoline, and don’t let kids play underneath it when someone is using it.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n At this point, you might want to avoid the risks of trampoline ownership. Even if you get an earful from the little ones.<\/p>\n What about trampoline parks? As it turns out, they can be more dangerous than owning a trampoline.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say the kids bug you until you find a trampoline park, Bouncy Bob\u2019s Wacky Jump Zone. It\u2019s only 15 minutes away!<\/p>\n This looks like the perfect alternative, but \u2026<\/p>\n According to\u00a0AAOS<\/b><\/a>,\u00a0<\/b>injuries sustained at trampoline parks are generally more severe than injuries from trampolines at home.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t enforce the rules yourself, but you can check to see if a trampoline park takes safety seriously.<\/p>\nHow to Handle the Top 10 Trampoline Risks<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Bounce One at a Time<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Save the Flips<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Supervise, Supervise, Supervise<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. No Kids Under Six Allowed<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Use Safety Nets<\/b><\/h3>\n
6. Check the Springs<\/b><\/h3>\n
7. Cover the Springs<\/b><\/h3>\n
8. Jump in the Center<\/b><\/h3>\n
9. Stay Away From Trees
<\/b><\/h3>\n10. Keep It Clear<\/b><\/h3>\n
What About Trampoline Parks?<\/b><\/h3>\n