For Ashley, a cautionary tale about trampolines

[N.Bailey]

Deb,

I totally agree with you....absolutel 100%! I am a fifth grade teacher and will be a mom one day and would never allow this in my home. I feel it is unsafe and ridiculously dangerous to have a trampoline. I did not read the other thread yet, but thank you for this one. There are many parents out here who need to read it.

Does this mean you won't be purchasing a bike for your child either? You do realize there is a better chance of injury on one of those things, don't you? I'm certainly not meaning to pick on you, but why does it matter to some with this toy, but you turn the blind eye for the next one?

 

[minniecarousel]

I'm not going to read the whole thread here - but just wanted to say:

AMEN! Dr. Deb for telling your story. I, for one, thank you.

 

[CharlesTD]

Probably because she is the one who has to care for your child in the emergency room when they are injured on the trampoline!!!!

Thanks for sharing "Ashley's" story, Deb.... I agree 100% that trampolines are way too dangerous to take chances with.

So if this is the case then she should have a hatred of pools because kids drown in those or as specified before bikes because kids fall off those and get hurt quite often or football or hockey or baseball etc why limit the bad feelings to trampolines. Kids can get hurt doing any multitude of things so that argument that she has to care for the kids that get hurt on tehm is pointless because she has to care for kids that get hurt doing anything not just jumping on trampolines. I guess gymnastics clubs had best get rid of theirs also then becasue heaven forbid little Johnny get hurt on it at practice. Our kids practice on ours between gymnastics classes well till the snow flies anyhow.

 

[N.Bailey]

Yes, more children are hurt riding bikes than on trampolines. Heck, more kids are hurt in auto accidents and falling down steps. HOWEVER, when you compare the numbers of participants and total amount of time spent in certain activities, trampolining is one that has a higher injury rate per occurance.

My children would have a hard time surviving in our society if they avoided cars, bikes(although they rarely ride because of traffic issues), buses, trains, planes, pools(we live in Florida), or boats (we live on a river) I see no need for them to jump on a trampoline.

And your proof to back this up is??

 

[N.Bailey]

It's her job to care about kids.

I wouldn't want a doctor who didn't.

Well, then don't turn the blind eye to the other dangers either. Bikes would be the better place to start, IMO.

 

[CharlesTD]

I don't understand why those who allow trampolines get so bent out of shape if others don't like them? Personally, I read others' opinions but keep my own and I don't worry too much about what others think. If you disapprove of trampolines, don't use them and if you like trampolines, use them. Just be careful!

Very well put.

 

[Planogirl]

I haven't seen any proof backing up the contention that trampolines are the worst items. I suspect that they're just way easier to ban than bikes or swimming.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Thanks for the info Deb. I appreciate it. If I found out something in my yard was dangerous (like bikes) I would take extra care to watch out, but I wouldn't get quite so defensive as some people seem to be. Don't be downhearted that some people resent you trying to give them this info.
And remember it took a LONG time for people to accept the fact that baby walkers are also a very bad thing to have. (Not the stationary saucers people, the ones on wheels they had in the 60s/70s/80s).
Robin M.

 

[Annie68]

We bought a trampoline 6 years ago, when my DD was in the 3rd grade. Being a RN I was aware of the dangers, but felt with the proper safety net and supervision it wouldn't be a problem. My daughter and her friends had a wonderful time using it over the years, we never had an injury. My son's friends needed much closer supervision, so we were very strict with who could jump. I was more nervous with the boys, they were more daring. I am lucky that we never had a problem, but now I realize what a potential liability having one is. Even if parents say it's OK, they could still sue if their child is injured (unless you draw up some sort of legal paperwork to be signed?). I can't imagine how I would have felt if a child was injured on mine . There are so many risks out there to our children already, I never should have added one in the name of fun. Just my take on the issue.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i dont let me kids play on these i feel they are unsafe

 

[meandtheguys2]

I haven't seen any proof backing up the contention that trampolines are the worst items. I suspect that they're just way easier to ban than bikes or swimming.

You may have a good point. I can't find the info either, but I am a bad googler. As for why I care...i just tend to be protective of all children. So sue me! It's a habit from when I was legally responsible for residents!

Past that, it just makes for interesting conversation. I learned alot about tramps today. I still wouldn't let my kids on one. What you do with yours is certainly your choice. All of parenting is about choices, and very few are concrete! It doesn't make either of us a "bad parent."

Charles, a gym facility with cushioned floors would seem to me to be much safer than a backyard. I think that is the difference.

 

[J/T Gramdma]

My graduating class from high school was responsible for removing trampoline from Maryland school in 1969. One of our students was jumping during class and fell off between the spotters and broke his neck. they settled the lawsuit for a couple of million dollars. He became a paraplegic. I was and am totally against trampolines altho I had alot of fun on them as a teenager. I was at my nephews house and he has one and because it had a net enclosure I let my grandkids on it. Having learned on this thread the net doesnot always help. They will now be banned from it.

 

[SuBeat]

Just curious (this isn't meant to be inflamitory in any way), but all those with tramps in their yard...Does your insurance company know? How did you get homeowners? Is there a premium on the policy? Just curious, because like I said in an earlier post, our agent specifically said that all of the companies that she deals with won't cover you if you have a trampoline. And the one we just signed with does drive by to check.


ReneeA

I actually contacted my insurance company before purchasing our trampoline last year because I had heard reports of canceled policies or increased rates. I was given their blessing, in fact, they seemed somewhat surprised that I was even calling to ask.

 

[CharlesTD]

Charles, a gym facility with cushioned floors would seem to me to be much safer than a backyard. I think that is the difference.

None of the gyms arounf here have cushioned floors by the trampolines atleast none of the facilities our kids have competed at. They are elevated plywood and carpet floors with padding over the springs and that is it.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Deb,
Thanks for the post. I cringe when I see the the nieghbors one house down out on thier trampoline, which btw has not net and they do not have a fence around the yard. I know kids can get hurt in a lot of ways, but ITA about trampolines I always freak out that one of these days I will hear that one of them cracked there head open while being out there.

 

[grlpwrd]

For 2003 statistics:

http://www.usa.safekids.org/content_documents/Rec_facts.pdf

Apparently, bicycle-related injuries are 3 or so times more likely than trampoline-associated injuries.

To me, though, the use or non-use of protective gear affects the results and also impacts are different (bike riding versus trampoline activity).

 

[froglady]

For 2003 statistics:

http://www.usa.safekids.org/content_documents/Rec_facts.pdf

Apparently, bicycle-related injuries are 3 or so times more likely than trampoline-associated injuries.

To me, though, the use or non-use of protective gear affects the results and also impacts are different (bike riding versus trampoline activity).

85 million bicycles in use in the US vs 3 million trampolines in use (according to insurance and Consumer Product Safety Comission figures...it's VERY difficult to get tramp sales figures)

540,000 bicycle injuries vs 98,000 tramp injuries in 2003 (CPSC) 25X 98,000 = 2 million+ tramp injuries if there were as many trampolines as bikes. Even if you reduce the figures because there are probably more adults riding bikes than jumping on tramps, you still have a greater chance of being injured..PER EXPOSURE...on a trampoline.

 

[N.Bailey]

85 million bicycles in use in the US vs 3 million trampolines in use (according to insurance and Consumer Product Safety Comission figures...it's VERY difficult to get tramp sales figures)

540,000 bicycle injuries vs 98,000 tramp injuries in 2003 (CPSC) 25X 98,000 = 2 million+ tramp injuries if there were as many trampolines as bikes. Even if you reduce the figures because there are probably more adults riding bikes than jumping on tramps, you still have a greater chance of being injured..PER EXPOSURE...on a trampoline.

You fail to consider that while there may be more than 1 bike in any household, we have 7 at my house right now for the 4 of us (all purchased new and have tossed about 3 because we got tired of tires and such with them and have had 3 stolen, these 6 aren't counting the 7 we currently own), there aren't many homes that have more than 1 trampoline. Wanna redo your figures?

Keep in mind, this doesn't count the smaller bikes we bought for the kids when they were younger either. You could probably add another 4 that they outgrew.

 

[Ranatra]

Has anyone ever heard of an inground trampoline? My brother put one in his yard, it's ground level. It's the only one I ever let my kids on when they were younger. He's had it for at least 15 years and now his grandkids are jumping on it.

 

[N.Bailey]

85 million bicycles in use in the US vs 3 million trampolines in use (according to insurance and Consumer Product Safety Comission figures...it's VERY difficult to get tramp sales figures)

540,000 bicycle injuries vs 98,000 tramp injuries in 2003 (CPSC) 25X 98,000 = 2 million+ tramp injuries if there were as many trampolines as bikes. Even if you reduce the figures because there are probably more adults riding bikes than jumping on tramps, you still have a greater chance of being injured..PER EXPOSURE...on a trampoline.

Oh, and where did the figures come from for the statistics for the bikes? I'm pretty sure if they've taken figures from insurance and consumer product safety commissions, my trampoline wouldn't be included in those statistics for them. I have no idea if our bikes would be or not.