Trampolines contribute to approximately 91,750 visits to emergency rooms each year. After her young child suffered a serious injury, one mother is urging other parents to be cautious about the risks associated with trampolines, particularly for toddlers. While trampolines have become increasingly popular, especially with the rise of indoor trampoline parks, pediatricians warn that such activities can be hazardous for young children.
Maria Johnson learned this firsthand when her 3-year-old son, Jake, fell and fractured his femur while playing at an indoor trampoline facility. Taking to social media, Maria shared her family’s experience, stating, “Reliving the past two weeks has been incredibly difficult, but we feel it’s important to inform other parents about the dangers linked to trampoline parks. Jake broke his femur while jumping near his dad and me; we were in adjacent areas at the time of the fall.”
The family’s outing took a tragic turn, leaving Jake with a hip spica cast that he will need to wear for a minimum of six weeks. “Our daily lives have been turned upside down since Jake’s injury, and it’s been a struggle for him to adapt,” Maria reflected, sharing a touching image of her son to illustrate the impact of the injury.
During their hospital visit, Maria discovered that medical professionals advise against trampoline use for children. “We were shocked to learn from our pediatric orthopedic surgeon that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommend that kids under 6 should never use trampolines,” she wrote in her widely shared post. “This is because their developing bones can’t handle the stress of jumping.”
The AAP’s stance extends beyond toddlers, emphasizing that all children should be cautious. The organization, representing over 66,000 pediatricians, recommends strict safety measures should trampolines be used, including constant adult supervision, appropriate protective padding, allowing only one jumper at a time, and avoiding flips and somersaults.
The rise in trampoline-related injuries is alarming. A study published in Pediatrics highlighted that emergency room visits due to trampoline injuries soared from 581 in 2010 to 6,932 in 2014. Maria hopes sharing her story will help raise awareness among parents. “We want to stress that facilities promote ‘Toddler Time,’ but toddlers should really stay far away from trampolines,” she stated. “By sharing our experience, we hope to prevent other families from going through the pain we faced due to trampoline injuries.”
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In summary, trampolines pose significant risks for young children, with medical experts recommending against their use for those under six. One mother’s story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of awareness and safety.