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A Trampoline is Not a Toy
Safe Kids Kansas Cautions Against Home Trampolines, Offers Safety Tips:

In 2004, approximately 93,000 children ages 14 and under were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for trampoline-related injuries — up from nearly 63,400 in 1996. More than 90 percent of these injuries involve home trampolines.  Safe Kids Kansas joins the American Academy of Pediatrics in recommending against trampolines in the home and yard. 

“Most trampoline injuries are muscle injuries or broken legs, not fatalities, but we also see head and neck injuries,” says Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator. “A concussion or an upper spine injury can be devastating for a child.” 

Although many trampoline injuries involve aerial stunts, falling onto the ground or floor, or landing on the springs or frame, more than half of trampoline injuries involve colliding with another jumper. “Even trampoline manufacturers say there shouldn’t be more than one person on the trampoline at a time,” says Stegelman. 

The AAP recommends that trampolines be used only as part of a supervised athletic training program — not at home, at school or on playgrounds. In addition, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that no children under 6 years old use a full-size trampoline. Safe Kids supports both recommendations.  

Based on the AAP’s guidelines for the use of trampolines in supervised training programs, Safe Kids cautions parents and caregivers to look for these features in a supervised trampoline program: 

     •The frame, springs and floor around the trampoline are appropriately padded and the equipment is inspected frequently.

•Trained spotters are always used and a safety harness or spotting belt is available. Ideally, the trampoline is in a pit so its surface is closer to the ground.

 •There is no ladder near the trampoline, where it could be used by unsupervised children to gain access. The trampoline is not accessible to children when not in use.

 •Jumpers do not attempt stunts or skills beyond their training and demonstrated ability. 

“Remember, these guidelines are for organized training programs led by qualified trainers. A trampoline is not a toy and kids should not have access to a trampoline at home,” says Stegelman. 

For more information about recreation safety, visit www.usa.safekids.org. 

Safe Kids Kansas, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14.   Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Coffey, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson and Woodson Counties, as well as the cities of Chanute, Emporia, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area and the Metro Kansas City Area.  Safe Kids Kansas a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury. The lead agency for Safe Kids Kansas is the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. For more information visit www.kansassafekids.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2007

Contact:  Jan Stegelman, 785-296-1223,
or Cherie Sage, 785-296-0351