How to Prevent Trampoline Injuries

Many people across Columbus and the rest of the country grew up with a trampoline right outside their front or back door that they could jump on anytime they wished. Jumping on a trampoline is a favorite activity for children and even some adults. However, regardless of how popular and well-known these products are, they can cause severe and traumatic accidents that lead to lifelong injuries.

The science behind how a trampoline works

As most people know, trampolines are flexible and stretchy material that goes across a base and connects to various springs. While these items are known to bring a lot of fun to children’s lives, they are also commonly used as a form of exercise by adults. According to Sky Zone, physics plays a huge role in jumping on a trampoline. They describe the science behind how a trampoline works: “the springy surface reacts to your body, putting force on it, sending you into the air.” They also state, “when you’re trampoline jumping, your body is putting tons of energy and exerting force on the trampoline, then getting a reaction from the springs and the elastic.”

What are the negative effects of jumping on a trampoline?

While many people think jumping on a trampoline benefits their strength and health, trampolines have been referred to as “one of America’s most dangerous toys.” One of the most common reasons these products are considered dangerous is that children and adults using them are at high risk of sprains, strains, and even fractures in their ankles, legs, and other body parts used to produce jumping movements. However, these are unfortunately not the only injuries commonly occurring on trampolines. Some of the most common personal injuries caused by trampoline use include the following:

• Broken and fractured bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Bruises
• Neck injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Death

For many years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has strongly been against the use of trampolines for recreational purposes. This organization states that they continue to advise against the use of these devices as “the potential for severe injuries remains relatively high.” Between 2009 and 2018, over 800,000 children suffered injuries while jumping on trampolines.

Best practices to prevent trampoline injuries

There are a few best practices you can keep in mind to prevent trampoline injuries, including:

• Frequently inspect the trampoline surface, springs, and any other parts to ensure no hazards could hurt you, your children, or anyone else. You should also make sure the trampoline remains on level ground.
• Supervise your children when they are jumping on the trampoline
• Allow or encourage only one person to jump at a time
• Avoid doing any flips, cartwheels, somersaults, or any other tricks
• Never participating in or encouraging roughhousing, horseplaying, or any other reckless, dangerous behaviors that could result in injuries
• Avoid jumping near the edges. The center of the trampoline is the safest area to jump.
• Never allow children ages six and under on the trampoline
• Never jump on a trampoline during or after a storm, rain, snow, or sleet. You should also never jump on a trampoline when it is very windy.

Can safety items or gear help prevent trampoline injuries?

Yes, certain safety items and gear can help prevent trampoline injuries. However, as mentioned by WebMD, “the only way to fully prevent trampoline-related injuries is to never jump on one.” If you still choose to use a trampoline, wearing or using safety gear may help reduce the risk of injuries, but it will not eliminate them. Here are some of the types of safety gear you could consider using or wearing:

• Safety padding: Safety padding can be placed on the trampoline springs, the outside frame, hooks, or anything else that is sharp, hard, or sticks out. By using safety padding, you can help prevent certain injuries when the body comes into contact with these objects.
• Safety nets: A trampoline safety net is critical to preventing injuries. These nets go around the trampoline and create an enclosed area to help prevent anyone from falling off.
• Helmets: While not many trampoline parks require people to wear helmets, it is a good idea for you, your child, or anyone else who uses a trampoline at your house to wear a helmet. This will help prevent or reduce the severity of head injuries, such as concussions and skull fractures.
• Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards: As mentioned, sprains, strains, and fractures are very common on trampolines. To prevent these injuries from happening, you can consider wearing knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards to protect a few of the most vulnerable areas of the body on a trampoline.
• Non-slip socks or supportive shoes: Wearing non-slip socks is essential on a trampoline. This ensures that you do not slip, slide, or fall off the trampoline. If you would rather wear shoes, they can give you more support and grip. However, you may want to double-check that your shoes will not rip or cause holes in the surface of the trampoline that could result in injuries later on.

Who can be liable for a trampoline accident in Columbus?

If you or your child suffered injuries in a trampoline accident, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for damages. However, to do so, you must be able to determine and prove liability. Depending on the circumstances of your case, there could be different liability parties, such as:

• The trampoline owner: The owner may be liable if the trampoline accident occurred while you or your child were at another person’s home. You will need to show that the trampoline owner acted negligently in some way. For example, if the trampoline owner fails to supervise and enforce safety rules while babysitting your child on the trampoline, this could be considered negligence.
• The trampoline park owner: If your accident occurred at a trampoline park, the owner could be held liable. Just like other business owners, trampoline park owners must ensure that their entire facility is safe and hazard-free for everyone who enters. They could be liable if it is determined that they did not perform routine inspections or maintain their trampolines.
• The manufacturer: If a part on the trampoline suddenly or randomly breaks, the manufacturer could be liable. This is because there was most likely an error during the design or manufacturing process, which caused your or your child’s trampoline accident.

Have you or your child recently been involved in a trampoline accident? If so, the Columbus personal injury attorneys at Soroka & Associates are here to help. We understand how difficult it can be to come to terms with the fact that a seemingly harmless item caused serious harm to you or your child. While you take the time to focus on the healing and recovery process, our team can use our knowledge and experience to stand up and advocate for your and your family’s rights. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation in Columbus today.