What Parents Need To Know About Outdoor Recreational Gear

Kids see a trampoline and they’re drawn to it– they want to jump! But parents often worry about their kids playing around on a trampoline, and that worry is somewhat justified. Did you know the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages the use of trampolines at home? There’s a strong risk of injuries associated with trampoline jumping, including sprains, fractures, and serious neck and head injuries. Even letting kids play on public trampolines at trampoline parks can be a cause for concern.

Okay, so maybe it’s best to make your kids avoid trampolines all together, but how realistic is that? Kids will whine and whine until you give in! That said, there are some things you can do to help keep them safe during play. For instance, if you have or use a home trampoline, use a safety net and pads. The net surrounds the trampoline. The pads cover the frame, springs and surrounding landing surfaces. Of course, once you’ve got all that safety equipment in place, it’s important to check on it every now and then looking for tears, detachments and/or deterioration.

Another good idea is to place the trampoline at ground level rather than high off the ground. Can you imagine how it would feel for a kid to fall five or six feet to the ground if they accidentally fell/stepped off a trampoline that’s high in the air? Also, keep the trampoline away from trees, power lines, rocks, and any other hazards.

Should kids under 6 be on the trampoline? No. Should there be more than one kid on the trampoline at a time? Ideally, no. Once you’ve got a bunch of kids all together on the trampoline you increase their risk of injuries from bumping into each other. Also, risky moves such as somersaults and flips should be discouraged.

Finally, kids shouldn’t be left unsupervised on a trampoline. There should always be a responsible adult in view, paying attention to their play. If and when the trampoline shouldn’t be used, an adult should remove the ladder to it so kids won’t have access.

If and when someone gets injured on a trampoline, it’s a smart idea to make an appointment with Lakewoods Chiropractic; call 651-464-0800 to do so.