Doctors: Trampolines Dangerous for Kids

The American Academy of Pediatrics has stiffened its stance against trampolines.

“Pediatricians need to actively discourage recreational trampoline use,” said Michele LaBotz, MD, FAAP, co-author of the updated policy statement. “Families need to know that many injuries occur on the mat itself, and current data do not appear to demonstrate that netting or padding significantly decrease the risk of injury.” 

But Nikki Vandeputte of Bounce! Trampoline Sports in Valley Cottage said that the business is strict on safety. 

"What we offer here is we have multiple trampolines and they are all at floor level. As opposed to the backyard trampolines, they can't fall off. We also have wall trampolines," she said. We have 3-4 monitors on each court that are similar to lifeguards. There have not been any injuries in the past couple of months."

She added that in the past, there have only been a few sprained ankles. 

"It is a physical activity but at the same time, it's pretty safe. It has very low impact on people's bodies because of the give of the trampolines," said Vandeputte. She added that NASA had released an article stating that trampolines were the best man-made form of excercise because of its low impact and high cardio. 

American Academy of Pediatrics states that the problems that come with trampolines are:

• More children than adults are injured on trampolines
• Almost 98,000 injuries resulted in 3,100 hospitalizations in 2009, the latest year for which data is available
• 75 percent of injuries occur when more than one person is jumping
• The youngest and smallest are at greater risk
• Falls off a trampoline, potentially catastrophic, accounted for 27-39 percent of injuries
• Netting or padding does not appear to significantly reduce risk

Homeowners with a trampoline should make sure their insurance covers trampoline-injury claims, the AAP said.