AAJ's
Keep Our Families Safe: Consumer News For Families
Newspaper Columns

Trampoline Safety

[Column 351, August 22, 2005] | Archived Columns

By Ken Suggs*

After a Texas trampoline company received dozens of reports of people who had been seriously injured on its Jumpking trampolines, the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a "voluntary recall" earlier this year of about one million trampolines.** The welding on the trampoline frames was breaking during use, and when the jumpers fell they were bruised, cut, and suffered back and neck injuries.

Even when the trampoline equipment is flawless, a trampoline can be a dangerous item when jumpers are not instructed on safe techniques and are not monitored by adults.

According to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2001 there were nearly 92,000 hospital emergency room-treated injuries associated with trampolines. About 93 percent of the victims were under 15 years of age and 11 percent were younger than 5 years of age. Since 1990, six trampoline-related deaths of children under age 15 have been reported to the CPSC.

Injuries and deaths are typically caused by: collisions with other people on the trampoline; improper landing while jumping or doing stunts; falls and jumps off of the trampoline; and falls on the trampoline frame and springs. According to the CPSC, most of the trampolines involved in the reported injuries and deaths were at private homes.

Originally designed for gymnasts and performance artists—and eventually used as a military training tool—trampolines are currently marketed as fun fitness equipment suitable for families.

Yet, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that trampolines not be used by children. According to an AAP policy statement, "The need for supervision and trained personnel at all times makes home use [of trampolines] extremely unwise." The AAP goes even further, stating that trampolines "should not be part of routine physical education classes in schools" and have "no place in outdoor playgrounds and should never be regarded as play equipment."

Since many families already have trampolines in their backyards, the CPSC offers the following tips to help prevent serious injury and paralysis:

• Allow only one person on the trampoline at a time.
  
• Do not allow somersaults. Landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis.
  
• Do not use the trampoline without shock-absorbing pads that completely cover its springs, hooks, and frame.
  
• Set up trampoline away from structures, trees, and other play areas.
  
• No child under 6 years of age should use a full-size trampoline.
  
• Do not use a ladder with the trampoline because it provides unsupervised access by small children.
  
• Use a trampoline enclosure (specially designed mesh/netting material) to help prevent injuries. The enclosure "catches" a person who would otherwise fall to the ground.
• Adults should always supervise all trampoline use.
  

**The recall included 14-foot and 15-foot Jumpking trampolines sold separately and with FunRing trampoline enclosures. The trampolines with enclosures were sold at discount, department and toy stores nationwide and in Canada from July 1999 through December 2003 for about $350 to $450. Trampolines without enclosures were sold from July 1999 through February 2004 for about $180 to $220. FunRing enclosures were sold separately for about $150 to $250. If you need a repair kit or more information, contact Jumpking Inc. toll-free at (866) 302-8669 or go to the company website at www.jumpking.com

*Ken Suggs, president of the American Association for Justice, is a partner in the Columbia, SC, law firm of Janet, Jenner & Suggs.