Your Yard: Trampoline Safety

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

12 Jun 2006 04:24 AM

A trampoline can provide hours of fun and great exercise for every member of the family. Jumping on a trampoline is an entertaining way to get the benefits of an aerobic workout.

While it is a great form of entertainment and exercise it can also be dangerous if misused. It is important to follow the guidelines regarding how many people may use the trampoline at one time. It is not only important because of weight limits, but also because injury is more likely when more people are jumping around. In fact, it is best to allow only one person at a time to use the trampoline to prevent injuries.

Most injuries are sustained by children, and between 1990 and 2001 there were six child deaths. One is too many.

Injuries -and worse- can be avoided by following safeguards. Here are a few guidelines:

1) Limit use to one person at a time and follow age and weight limits recommended on the box or in the instruction manual. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that only children above six years of age be allowed to use a full sized trampoline.

2) Supervise children at all times. It is also a good idea to have other children's parents present if you allow them to use the trampoline, and check your homeowner's policy to see if injuries sustained by guests will be covered.

3) Choose a trampoline that has padded covers over the springs and frame. Many people are injured by landing on springs or hitting the frame. A "cage" or enclosure around the perimeter is also important, since many injuries are caused by falls. An enclosure doesn't cost much more and it is well worth it.

4) Disallow stunts such as "flips." Landing on the head or neck may cause spinal injury, paralysis, or fatality.

5) Never allow anyone to crawl under the trampoline when it is in use. Doing so can cause serious injury to the person below as well as the person using the trampoline.

6) Consider putting up a fence, or locking your existing gate when not at home so neighborhood children won't be tempted to sneak into your yard and use the trampoline unsupervised. Ask neighbors to watch out for such activity when you plan to be away.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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