For Ashley, a cautionary tale about trampolines

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I have also read that once dropped by an insurance company - it is then very hard to get picked back up. Not sure how true this is - but on top of everything else - who would want to risk it?

 

[Lynn CC]

Way to go Deb! It's all about keeping our children safe if you ask me.

Also, I think that if you own a trampoline and are going for homeowners insurance, your rates will increase. If you already have homeowners insurance, customers are being dropped if they find out you purchased a trampoline.
Insurance Companies don't want to take the risk of Trampoline related Injuries.
I'm surprised that after hearing the statistics parents still purchase these for their children.

 

[Rex Rules]

I totally agree with you. I got alot of flack from my sister for not allowing DD to go on the trampoline at her house.
Incidentally it was her gymnastics coach that gave me the heads up several years ago. I hadn't given it much thought before then.
So sister was giving me grief for not letting my DD go on the trampoline. Well, then my niece broke her wrist when she fell off the darn thing. You'd think after that she would see, but it took the same child breaking her leg in 3 places after falling off the same trampoline the next summer. She called to tell me about the accident and I said, well, are you going to dispose of that thing or do I have to come over and do it myself. She said already done. Too bad it took her daughter breaking bones TWICE before she came around.

 

[Planogirl]

How did the insurance company even find out about the trampoline? Our policy states that we have to inform them if we ever get a dog but I wonder how many people never bother to tell their insurance company about these things?

 

[ReneeA]

I just switched homeowner's insurance last month, and they are sending someone out to make sure that we don't have a trampoline in the backyard. I told them I didn't but they are finding that families with trampolines are being less than honest when asked that question so they are driving by to double check (the agent made me aware of this). Not one insurance company that I was quoted would cover someone with a trampoline.

BTW, my kids are 2 & 4 and they don't need any help getting bumped, bruised, and scratched (or something more lethal) on a daily basis. I won't be getting one.

ReneeA

 

[Rex Rules]

My DD has just started a gymnastics class and I am concerned whether or not she should be allowed on it there!? IS it possible to be given proper instruction and to be supervised properly!?

At DD's gym, there is a trampoline, but it is installed into the floor and everywhere is padded, so if they go off, they bounce on padded floor.

 

[Nancy]

Back in Jr. High in the 70's, we were jumping on the big old funky trampoline in gym class, and i went head first thru the springs directly in front of the gym teacher who was "spotting" that side! I wasn't hurt, but I agree that there isn't much someone could do. I guess he could have shoved me the other way!

That makes me remember how we used to use a trampoline as part of gym class all the time...one of those big old rectangle shaped ones with NO safety nets around them...just a whole class of students the same age as the jumper standing around the edges...in case someone fell off. It was actually my favorite gym class time!

 

[meandtheguys2]

That makes me remember how we used to use a trampoline as part of gym class all the time...one of those big old rectangle shaped ones with NO safety nets around them...just a whole class of students the same age as the jumper standing around the edges...in case someone fell off. It was actually my favorite gym class time!

No kidding! We lived for the gymnastics stuff. Beat the heck out of climbing a rope or kicking a ball!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Wow! How heart-breaking your story is.
I say keep on giving stats and warnings against using trampolines.
If someone doesn't like it just ignore it.
But I can't help but think you must have saved at least injury from your warnings.

By the way, we had one, but through it out. My DH was never comfortable about having it. I couldn't give it to someone, because if they got hurt I would have felt horrible.

 

[Marseeya]

Thanks for posting that. Even if one parent sees it and tosses their trampoline in the landfill, it was well worth it!

(mean mom whose kids have never jumped on a trampoline... with her knowledge )

 

[magicfan]

I know 3 people who have broken bones while jumping on a trampoline--2 legs and an arm. I won't buy one.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

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.

 

[pozey]

While my opinion may make me unpopular with the rest of the people on this thread, I feel that accidents are going to happen, no matter what.

While these numbers are aged, consider this from Children's Hospital Boston:

In 1998 the number of injuries were reported for children and adolescents ages 5 - 14:

Basketball - 200,000
Baseball and Softball - 91,000
Bicycling - 320,000
Football - 159,000
Gymnastics - 25,500
Ice Skating - 15,500
In-line/Roller Skating - 67,000
Skateboarding - 27,000
Snow skiing/snowboarding - 13,500
Soccer - 77,500
Trampolines - 75,000

So, I guess what I am trying to say, is YES playing on a trampoline can be dangerous - and deadly.

But so is riding a bicycle, playing soccer, playing basketball, playing football, or playing baseball.....

 

[Marseeya]

I'm sure those numbers don't tell the whole tale. What I'd be interested in is the percentages -- what's the percentage of basketball injuries compared to how many kids actually play? What's the percentage of trampoline injuries compared to how many people own them? The reason those figures are so high is probably because more kids play basketball than own trampolines.

 

[phorsenuf]

While my opinion may make me unpopular with the rest of the people on this thread, I feel that accidents are going to happen, no matter what.

While these numbers are aged, consider this from Children's Hospital Boston:

In 1998 the number of injuries were reported for children and adolescents ages 5 - 14:

Basketball - 200,000
Baseball and Softball - 91,000
Bicycling - 320,000
Football - 159,000
Gymnastics - 25,500
Ice Skating - 15,500
In-line/Roller Skating - 67,000
Skateboarding - 27,000
Snow skiing/snowboarding - 13,500
Soccer - 77,500
Trampolines - 75,000

So, I guess what I am trying to say, is YES playing on a trampoline can be dangerous - and deadly.

But so is riding a bicycle, playing soccer, playing basketball, playing football, or playing baseball.....

Keep in mind though, this was done in 1998. Trampoline use has become much more prolific in the last couple of years (and cheaper to buy). So I really think those statistics are outdated.

*add me to the we won't ever have one club.*

 

[meandtheguys2]

Interesting list! But I agree with Marseeya. The number isn't the whole equation. I heard golf is number one on the list now!

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I'm sure those numbers don't tell the whole tale. What I'd be interested in is the percentages -- what's the percentage of basketball injuries compared to how many kids actually play? What's the percentage of trampoline injuries compared to how many people own them? The reason those figures are so high is probably because more kids play basketball than own trampolines.

 

[pozey]

Yes, I realize the numbers are old. And I would venture to guess that there are more trampolines in use today than in 1998. But there are probably more kids playing soccer today than in '98. And more kids skateboarding....and so on.

What I was getting at, was yes, injuries can happen when kids play on trampolines. But injuries can happen playing ANY SPORT, or ANY ACTIVITY.

I am living proof of that. I broke my leg while snow skiing when I was 19 - 20 years old. I dislocated my elbow playing basketball. I broke my thumb playing baseball. Injuries happen.

My 6 year old son has broken his arm.......by falling off the bed.

All I am saying is that Injuries happen.....

 

[meandtheguys2]

But the percentage of all children who sleep in a bed and break their arm falling out is much smaller than the percentage of children who jump on tramps and are seriously injured on a trampoline. Basing decisions on inacurate information doesn't help anyone. Knowing that 1 out of 20 children who play on a trampoline are hurt to the degree of needing medical care (A MADE UP STATISTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) as opposed to 1 in 75 children who need medical care due to basketball injuries, (ANOTHER MADE UP STATISTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) allows decisions based not on emotion, but on fact. Looking at that I would not allow one activity, but would consider another.

To just say all activity causes injury is like saying it is perfectly fine to send my sons out into the backyard with loaded guns. Yes, it is potentially dangerous, but so is everything else.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Thank you for posting this! although DD is only 9mo. old DH and i had this discussion A LOOOONG time ago and always knew we would never put our children on these death traps. Thanks Deb, let's hope everyone here will pass the news on as well and it will just keep going.