Paediatricians warn against backyard trampolines

OTTAWA — Trampolines should not be used in homes or in playgrounds, according to a new position statement from the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine. Although they are easily available and growing in popularity, the risks associated with backyard trampolines are just too high, warns the statement.  

“Trampolines are not a safe recreational activity for children and youth. They should not be used as play equipment in playgrounds, at home or at the cottage,” says Toronto paediatrician Dr. John Philpott, co-author of the statement.  

Trampoline injuries are on the rise, and the majority of them affect children and youth. Between 1990 and 2001 in Canada, trampoline injuries requiring hospitalization increased 56%.  

“We’re concerned not only with the increase in trampoline-related injuries, but the severity of those injuries,” said Dr. Claire LeBlanc, chair of the CPS Healthy Active Living and Sport Medicine Committee. “Children often break bones or dislocate joints and frequently require surgery. Head injuries are also common, and in some cases injuries to the neck or back can cause paralysis or death.”

Many injuries occur when there is more than one child on the trampoline at the same time, and when children are doing “tricks” such as flips or somersaults, or when children fall off the trampoline, but the majority of injuries still happen when a child slips or falls the wrong way on the trampoline itself.

“Even with safety measures in place, such as parental supervision, spotters or net enclosures, there is no guarantee against injury. Children can be injured by falling on the trampoline itself,” said Dr. Lynne Warda, chair of the CPS Injury Prevention Committee. “Trampolines can still be very dangerous.”  

Additional recommendations:

• Trampolines should not be regarded as play equipment and should not be part of outdoor playgrounds.
• Physicians should advocate for legislation to require warnings of trampoline dangers to be put on product labels.  
• More research on trampoline injuries sustained in supervised settings, such as schools, gym clubs and training program, should be conducted to assess the risk of injury.  

The Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine is an organization of physicians committed to excellence in the practice of medicine as it applies to all aspects of physical activity.

For parent information on trampoline use visit Are home trampolines safe?

About the Canadian Paediatric Society

The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national advocacy association that promotes the health needs of children and youth. Founded in 1922, the CPS represents more than 3,300 paediatricians, paediatric subspecialists and other child health professionals across Canada.