Trampoline Accidents

There is a growing concern over the number of accidents on the trampoline as a majority of the victims are kids. A skilled user can exploit it to do different kinds of stunts while exercising. The tricks need an individual to possess coordination of the muscles and a fine sense of balance as well as that of timing, to pull off some spectacular stunts.

Trampoline Related Injuries
The problem arises when an inexperienced child tries to experiment with the stunts and show off during trampoline exercises. Even for a skilled person, a moments inattention or a fractionally imbalanced posture at the time of jumping off may result in crashing onto the ground, supports or the metal parts of this exercise equipment.

There are also instances in which the offending structure was the wall of the enclosure where the trampoline was kept. Moreover, landing in an awkward position can also lead to serious injuries. When this happens, simple exercises may turn into a disaster for the child. If he is lucky, he may get away with minor injuries.

Trampoline Accident Statistics
The statistics compiled over the last few years have prompted some of the pediatricians to raise concern over its use. The statistics compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), shows that, in 2004, 89,000 individuals needed to go to the emergency room to get the injuries treated. Of these, almost 60-65 percent of the victims were children under 14 years of age. The injuries treated ranged from minor things such as bumps, scrapes and bruises, to serious ones involving strains, sprains, deep cuts and fractures of the bones. Some of these victims also suffered severe injuries such as broken bones, concussion, and injuries to the spine and head.

The accidents statistics for 1990-99 reveal that the 11 people lost their lives to these accidents and 6 of them were in their teens. The additional facts show that most of these resulted when the victim tried to do tricky things such as a somersault or something similar.

Safety Tips for Trampoline Use
Failure to follow safety tips contributes to the accidents, especially, when multiple users are using it. Allowing an inexperienced person to use a trampoline unsupervised is as good as inviting trouble. Following are some of the safety tips that are propagated by The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Make sure that all the assembly instructions were followed while installing it.
• Permit only one user on it at a time, and if it is a child then supervising him or her is essential.
• Its parts such as frames, springs and hooks must be padded before use.
• Give the trampoline its own place that is clear of other structures.
• Make sure that the access is restricted which may be insured by not using the ladder to keeping the equipment under lock and key.
• Install a net enclosure which will help to minimize the chances of accidents and injuries.

Within no time after its purchase, a trampoline can become the focal point of a family's recreational activities. Any user must take care while using it, such as bouncing low and landing consistently in the center. He can do a favor to himself by leaving tricks such as flips, somersaults and twisting somersaults, which are the main causes of trampoline accidents, to the professionals.