Michelle Healy reports on an AAP policy update:
Bouncing up and down on a home trampoline may look like fun, but the popular piece of backyard equipment is “intrinsically dangerous” and should be strongly discouraged, says the co-author of an updated pediatricians’ policy statement.
The AAP policy statement expresses a continuing concern that pediatricians have:
Most trampoline injuries occur with multiple simultaneous users on the mat. Cervical spine injuries often occur with falls off the trampoline or with attempts at somersaults or flips.
The easiest way to make trampoline use safer is for parents to enforce one user at time. And kids who want to do flips and somersaults on trampolines might be better off finding a coach to teach and spot them.
The AAP policy statement is in Pediatrics.