Jump in trampoline injuries prompts warning from doctors

Injuries among children have increased significantly after the boom in new commercial indoor trampoline centres around Sydney.

Injuries among children have increased significantly after the boom in new commercial indoor trampoline centres around Sydney.

Children’s hospitals have sounded alarm bells about the spate of injuries, warning parents to be vigilant when visiting such premises.

Trampoline injuries already account for a quarter of all childhood play equipment injuries, and the new “fun” centres have contributed to the toll.

Merrylands primary pupil Christopher Fares, 8, fractured his ankle and ended up on crutches after being injured at a commercial premises at Olympic Park last month.

“I was at a birthday party,” Christopher said.

“It was very bouncy and there was lots of kids there and I tried to stop, but someone was in the way and I fell and my ankle got stuck.”

Mum Lopitta said Christopher’s foot slipped between the padding and got caught between the springs.

The popularity of indoor trampoline parks has contributed to the spike in injuries.

Ms Fares said she did not initially realise his injury was so bad, but the swelling grew worse and when she took him to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, ­­X-rays revealed the fracture and ligament injury.

“He can’t walk on it, he can’t do his karate and I won’t be taking him to any trampoline parks again,” she said.

“I always encourage the kids to be active and I think trampolines are good exercise, but they need to be a lot safer.

“That was the first time we had gone to one of these places and it will be the last.”

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead has treated 519 trampoline-related injuries since January 2014.

This year alone doctors have treated 135 injuries, which mostly consisted of broken or sprained arms and legs as well as soft tissue injuries.

“These figures are alarming because of the large numbers of serious injuries sustained at these centres,” Dr Christopher Mulligan, from the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick, said.

“They are also worrying because most of these injuries are readily preventable.”

Trampoline injuries already account for a quarter of all childhood play equipment injuries.

Doctors are so alarmed at the injury rate they have commissioned a new research report into the problem. It is expected to shed light on the causes of the injuries later this year.

“However, even before the results of the study are out, we want to urge all parents and carers to follow simple preventive measures,” Dr Mulligan said.

These include supervising children at all times, not allowing them to jump on a trampoline with others (particularly bigger children or adults), and ensuring there are no hazards located around the trampoline.

SAFER OPTIONS

Australian researchers are pushing for a safer style trampoline to be used with “non-traditional” soft-edge spring-free designs.

The study, by the University of Technology play equipment expert Assoc. Professor David Eager, found the safer design can reduce injuries by 30 to 80 per cent.

“These findings are the first to clearly demonstrate that it is possible through good engineering to design a trampoline that significantly reduces the magnitude and severity of trampoline-related injuries,” he said.