(Relaxnews) – A backyard trampoline spells fun for kids, but a US doctors’ group warns parents that it’s not worth the risks.
Published on Monday in the journal Pediatrics, an updated policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that trampolines can cause serious injuries to both younger and older children, and the report discourages parents from allowing their kids to use one.
"One-third to one-half of all trampoline-related injuries happened with an adult supervising trampoline use," says Susannah Briskin, MD, a coauthor of the policy statement. "If injuries are still occurring, adults are likely not appropriately monitoring behavior on the mat."
While younger children are 14 times more likely to get hurt on trampolines, the report finds that older children are more likely to try risky acrobatic moves, which can cause serious harm to the head and neck. Twenty percent of trampoline injuries are caused by hitting the frame or the springs, with the researchers noting that trampoline pads quickly deteriorate and do little to protect kids. Also, netting around the trampoline does not protect kids from injury, they added.
In addition, trampolines used for instructional sports need appropriate supervision and safety measures, the doctors noted.