Many parents may be shocked to learn that trampoline injuries are far more prevalent than they realize. While trampolines are often seen as a fun childhood activity, they can actually pose significant dangers. A mother from Indianapolis recently shared her harrowing experience after her two-year-old son, Max, spent 16 weeks recuperating from a broken leg sustained during a visit to a trampoline park.
In an interview with local news, Emily Jones recounted taking Max to a “Toddler Time” session at a nearby SkyZone indoor trampoline venue. She hoped that he would enjoy some physical activity and tire himself out before nap time. However, what she didn’t anticipate was that their outing would result in an emergency room visit. Max ended up with a fractured femur and had to wear a cumbersome cast that extended from his waist to his toes.
When hearing stories about trampoline accidents, many people tend to think it was due to reckless behavior or a random incident. Yet, Emily emphasized that this was not the case. “He was just jumping, and then suddenly he was screaming,” she explained. “I was right there, watching him the entire time. He’s only two! How could a simple jump cause such a serious injury?”
Unfortunately, trampoline injuries are not uncommon. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, around 104,691 trampoline-related injuries were reported in 2014, the most recent year with available data. Alarmingly, 85 percent of those injuries involved children, with more than 24,000 incidents affecting kids aged two to five.
The risks associated with trampolines are serious enough that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to completely avoid them, whether at indoor facilities or in their backyards. They specifically highlight that children under five are at the highest risk for broken bones and other injuries, and the likelihood of injury increases when more than one child is jumping at once.
Dr. Sarah Thompson, an orthopedic specialist, remarked that children’s bones are fundamentally different from those of adults. She believes there’s no age at which it’s truly safe for children to jump on trampolines, warning that “pediatric bones can break easily. If the conditions are just right, they can snap.” Many people underestimate the severity of fractures in children, thinking they are simple to treat with a cast, but that isn’t always the case.
While trampolines may not rank high on most parents’ lists of things to avoid, the statistics are hard to ignore. With tens of thousands of injuries each year, it’s time to reevaluate whether trampolines are a safe activity for young children. It might be wise to consider steering clear of that upcoming trampoline park birthday bash.
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Summary
Trampolines may seem like a fun activity for kids, but they are associated with a high number of injuries, particularly among young children. With experts advising against their use, parents should reconsider allowing their kids to jump on trampolines.