Buying a trampoline for Christmas?

Looking thru the Black Friday and Cyber Monday toy ads we ’ve noticed many stores have ads for trampolines for Christmas.  Each year trampolines cause about100,000 injuries.   In a 9 year period (2002-2011) over 1 million people visited the emergency room due to trampoline injuries.  Approximately 300,000 of those injuries included broken bones and 93% of these fractures happened to kids under 16 years of age. Strains and fractures of the leg are the most common type of injury.  Other injuries include injuries to the spinal cord, head and neck with potentially devastating consequences. On average, one out of 200 trampoline related injuries lead to permanent neurological damage.The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) advises against the use of trampolines but for those who choose to use them they suggest the following safety precautions: Constant adult supervision Protective padding surrounding the trampoline (both on the top and sides) Avoid doing flips and somersaults Allow only one person on the trampoline at a time to avoid collisions as 75% of injuries occur due to multiple people jumping together. Children under 6 years of age should not be allowed on trampolines.   Younger kids tend to be at greater risk for serious injury when older kids are jumping at the same time on the mat. Remember, kids tend to want to show off to their peers and are willing to take more ri...
Source: Pediatric Health Associates - Category: Pediatrics Tags: Safety Source Type: news