Have your children been asking for a trampoline, and are you worried about the risk of injuries? You aren’t alone! Many parents find themselves worrying about their children injuring themselves as they bounce, and what the most common injuries are that will land their children in the ER. Understanding what these common injuries are, what increases the risk of injuries, and how to keep your children safe is essential to ensure everyone has fun without ending up in a cast. Today, we walk you through the most common injuries caused by backyard trampolines and how to prevent them.
The most common injuries caused by backyard trampolines
The most common injuries caused by trampolines include sprains, fractures, and head injuries. These can range in severity from a scrape on the head to fractured bones that require casts, slings, and months of recovery. You must understand the most common trampoline-related injuries so that you can recognise the signs and get your children the medical care they need. We have detailed the common injuries your child could experience below:
Sprains and fractures
Sprains and fractures are the most common injuries caused by backyard trampolines. You will typically find fractures on the arms and legs, with wrist and forearm fractures and sprains being the most common, although elbow fractures can happen too. These fractures and sprains can be caused by falling on an outstretched hand, where the child’s weight will land on their hand, or falling awkwardly on it can fracture the bone.
Any fractures or sprains should be treated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Swelling, difficulty moving the arm or leg, and pain are the most common symptoms your child might experience.
Head and neck injuries
Head and neck injuries are the most serious injuries caused by trampolines and will always require medical attention. These can be caused by landing incorrectly, falling off the trampoline, or stunts gone wrong that leave your child landing on their head, landing awkwardly on their neck, or landing on other bouncers or objects. As a result, your child might have a concussion, skull fracture, or, in some cases, spinal cord injury.
Should your child land on their head or neck, you must get them medical attention. Keep an eye out for any signs of concussion, bleeding, or other worrying symptoms.
Cuts, bruises, and abrasions
Cuts, bruises, and abrasions aren’t as serious as the head injuries or fractures, but they can still be painful for your children. These are often caused when your child falls or from the friction of the trampoline bed. It is essential to inspect these injuries, as deep cuts may require stitches. Clean the cuts out immediately and ensure they are covered before using the trampoline again to prevent them from worsening.
What increases the risk of injuries on trampolines?
Bouncing on a trampoline is fun, but certain factors increase the risk of your children injuring themselves, including too many children using the trampoline and the age of your children. We have detailed the main factors that could increase the risk of injuries below:
Improper supervision
Accidents can occur when you fail to supervise your children properly. While supervising, you need to keep a constant eye on your children, especially the younger ones. Accidents can happen instantly, but there are often warning signs leading up to them, like children bouncing too close to the edge or roughhousing with one another.Ensure that a vigilant adult is always present to supervise children when they are bouncing on the trampoline.
The age of children
Younger children are more at risk of injuries on trampolines, especially if they have never used them before or aren’t aware of safe bouncing rules. You should monitor younger children carefully and be mindful that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under six should not use trampolines, as their bodies are not developed enough to control their bouncing, increasing their risk of serious injuries like fractures and head or neck injuries.
Too many bouncers
Even on large trampolines, too many bouncers can be a recipe for disaster. The more bouncers you have, the less control there is over your bounces, and it becomes easier for children to knock into one another or bounce off the trampoline, causing injuries. You must monitor the number of bouncers on the trampoline and ensure it does not exceed the manufacturer’s requirements.
How to keep your children safe on trampolines?
To keep your children safe on trampolines, we recommend following our safety guidelines below. These will help to keep your little ones safe and ensure peace of mind for you:
- Supervise your children at all times
- Follow all restrictions and age limits set by the manufacturer and the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Do not exceed the maximum capacity on your trampoline, and consider limiting to just one bouncer at a time
- Ensure you have the correct safety equipment, including a netted enclosure and mats over any springs or metal frames
- Place your trampoline on a springy lawn, barn wood chips or other cushioning material and with a clearance zone of 2.5 meters
- Create ground rules and make all children aware of them, including how to bounce safely, not to push each other, and to allow everyone fair time on the trampoline
- Carry out regular maintenance and inspections on the trampoline to ensure it remains safe for use
Find your new backyard trampoline today
Understanding the common injuries, their signs, and factors that increase their risk makes it easier for you to supervise your children, keeping them safe while they have fun. Proper supervision and clear rules are just as important as the trampoline itself, so make sure you spend some time considering the rules before investing. Once you are ready to purchase your trampoline, we recommend checking out Vuly. They have a huge range of trampolines to suit every budget and family size, ensuring you can find the perfect backyard trampoline for your family today.
