Trampoline users urged to be cautious

The Southern Area Accident Prevention Liaison Group (SAAPLG) is urging people to be cautious when using home trampolines this summer.

A survey conducted in 2008 by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust within its Accident and Emergency Departments and Minor Injury Units shows that there were 82 injuries recorded over a four week period due to trampoline accidents; 57 (70%) of these accidents were amongst children under 10 years of age.

Mr Seamus O’Reilly, Consultant in Accident and Emergency at Craigavon Area Hospital says: “Most injuries occurred when people landed improperly while jumping or doing stunts on the trampoline or when they fell or jumped off. Colliding with another person, particularly someone who is taller and heavier is also another common cause of injury. Injuries range from the minor such as bruising, scrapes, cuts or strains to the more serious like broken bones, head and neck injuries and many occurred even where a safety net was present.”

Cathy Mullan from the Public Health Agency and Chair of SAAPLG added: “Trampolining can be good exercise and a fun way for children to be physically active. It is important however, that adults supervise the children, allowing only one person to use the trampoline at a time to avoid collision. Safety enclosures or nets can prevent accidental falls from the trampoline, but other accidents can still occur. Domestic trampolines are not designed for stunts like somersaults or flips. These should only be attempted under supervision and on professional trampolines. We hope that by reinforcing safety messages we can help ensure that children will enjoy trampolining and not sustain injuries.”

For online learning and an interactive game on trampolining and other home safety issues log onto www.safehome4me.com