52,103 children under the age of 15 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for trampoline related injuries in 1995.

Trampoline Related Injuries

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reported that 52,103 children under the age of 15 were injured using trampolines and were treated in hospital emergency rooms in 1995. The cost of injuries to children injured while on a trampoline, in 1995 alone, was estimated at $272,600,000.00.

There are numerous lawsuits filed by severely injured users of trampolines. Many of these claims have been successfully resolved. The fact is that trampoline use is dangerous and can cause significant personal injuries or death.

Use of the trampoline by more than one child further increases the risk of injury through collisions among jumpers or the catapulting of jumpers off the trampoline. More than one user may cause a phenomenon termed the "rebound" effect. Experts agree that if one person is going up, the second coming down, the forward motion of the trampoline surface can be "harder than concrete" and cause fractures to the spine. In record numbers, kids continue to get hurt.

In 1996, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommended that trampolines should not be used at home, either indoors or outdoors, and should not be part of physical education classes. The Academy stated that the "risks are too great" and reported 83,400 trampoline related injuries in the United States for the year ending 1996.

Studies concerning the expectations of average consumers have been conducted. The data was compiled, in part by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. The results, in part, are as follows:

• 93% of injuries involving the use of trampolines occurred in a residential setting.
• The number of injuries involving consumers using trampolines has increased 98% since 1990.
• In 1996, it was estimated that 83,400 children under 18 years old suffered trampoline- related injuries, resulting in medical expenses of $272,000,000.
• In 1971, the National Collegiate Athletic Association banned the use of trampolines in competitive competition. In 1977, AAP recommended that trampolines be banned in schools and also competitive use.
• Adult supervision cannot be relied upon to decrease trampoline-related injuries.
• Trained spotters have been ineffective in preventing serious trampoline-related injuries.
• Education of parents about consumer product related hazards and the use of warning labels have not been effective in strategies in preventing trampoline-related injuries.
• 10% of all trampoline related injuries involve the head and neck.
• Most severe neuralgic injuries have occurred while attempting a somersault, also referred to as a salto maneuver. Many of these injuries have occurred while spotters were present, because a spotter is not in a position to prevent an injury occurring in the center of a trampoline mat.
• Trampoline-related spinal cord injuries occur more frequently than any other gymnastic sport and trampolines were second only to football as a sports-related cause of permanent paralysis.
• It is estimated that 500,000 trampolines are sold annually representing $125,000,000 in United States retail sales.
• Trampolines for backyard or residential use should be banned.
• Most consumers do not read nor appreciate the content of safety or warning labels associated with the risks of using a trampoline.
• It is not obvious that a consumer would be injured if they landed wrong on the trampoline mat.
• The use of a trampoline presents hidden or latent dangers to consumers. These are some of the risks presented to children and adults alike.

If you still want to take the risk, please provide constant and adequate supervision. Since warning of the dangers of using trampolines, I have received many e-mail's and telephone calls concerning trampoline owners obligations to protect the users of their trampoline. Although the law applicable to these cases may vary from state to state, I would suggest that you review JUMPKING, Inc's Owners Manual. JUMPKING is purportedly the largest manufacturer of trampolines in the United States. If you purchase your trampoline at Wal Mart, Sam's Club or any other mass merchant, there is a strong probability that you have purchased a JUMPKING product. If you own a JUMPKING product, the "Owners Role in Preventing Accidents", is located on page 4 and reproduced below:

"[I]t is the responsibility of the owner or other person responsible for the trampoline to:

• ensure that young or inexperienced persons use the trampoline only under mature supervision,
• that the warnings and cautions set forth in this manual are made known to all such prospective users; and,
• that the rules are enforced in order to minimize the likelihood of accidents and injuries."

What are the JUMPKING warnings and cautions that must be provided to a potential user? In part, JUMPKING requires that:

• Never allow more than one person on the trampoline at a time.
• Inspect the trampoline before each use and replace any worn, defective or missing parts.
• Landing incorrectly , falling off, rebounding, stepping, falling, etc. are hazards.
• Using this trampoline exposes you to the risk of serious bodily injury, including permanent paralysis or even death from landing on the back, neck or head. This risk exists even if you land on the trampoline mat.
• Use an Instructor, to teach the fundamentals, supervise the users, and enforce the rules. Strict supervision and enforcement of the rules will help minimize the likelihood of accidents or injuries.

What if a trampoline owner cannot comply with the above responsibilities? Then JUMPKING mandates that:

This may require, during periods of time when supervision is unavailable or inadequate, that the trampoline be:

• disassembled,
• placed in a secure area,
• covering the trampoline with a heavy tarp, which can be secured by chains or locks,
• tipping the trampoline up against the side of a structure and securing it with a locking device; or,
• otherwise secured against unauthorized use.

How safe is a product that even after a full disclosure of the warnings, cautions and rules are made, the trampoline MUST BE LOCKED UP, DISASSEMBLED or COVERED, if not supervised by an instructor (certified by the United States Gymnastics Federation) or other properly trained individual?

Despite the dangers presented by the use of the trampoline, are there other factors that affect whether you or your family member will be injured on a trampoline? The answer is yes! One on-line retailer (www.trampolinesales.com) suggests that many of the trampolines sold at mass merchants are of inferior craftsmanship and quality. Many trampolines found at mass merchants use a thinner gauge frame with thinner safety pads, and shorter springs. Most have none of the accessories needed to make a trampoline package complete!