Pediatricians Say Trampolines Unsafe For Kids; Do You Agree?
Do you agree with pediatricians on this subject? Let us know by posting a comment in the comments section below.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is warning parents to keep their kids from using trampolines because of the nearly 100,000 injuries linked to the bouncy mats annually, according to a Reuters Health report on the Chicago Tribune website.
A new statement from the AAP updates recommendations from 1999, which caused manufacturers to add safety features to the products in an attempt to mitigate the risks, according to the site. However, AAP isn't sold the safety features have done what they were intended to do.
"As best we can tell, the addition of safety nets and padding has actually not changed the injuries we have seen," said Dr. Susannah Briskin, a sports medicine specialist who helped draft the new statement, read the report.
Since 2004 when 111,851 trampoline-related injuries were treated by emergency rooms, according to the report, injuries have seen a decrease to 97,908 in 2009. However, Briskin told Reuters Health that doesn't necessarily mean the devices have become any less dangerous, according to the website.
"Even though there has been a decrease in injuries," she told Reuters, according to the website, "I caution people against taking that too literally because the number of trampolines has also decreased."
We'd like to know: Do you agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics? Should children not be allowed to use trampolines? Or are trampolines an activity all kids should experience growing up? Let us know where you stand on this issue by posting a comment in the comments section below.
[Editor's note: This post is shared with other Patch sites.]
Leeroy
1:07 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
The article fails to mention that if you don't like your kids that trampolines may be useful.
Mark Ouellette
1:12 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Ha! Don't be that guy, Leeroy. ;)
Leeroy
1:14 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
:)
Josh Chace
1:24 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Trampolines are unsafe the same way guns are unsafe in that if they aren't used for their intended purpose, there will be injuries. How long before someone suggests now that trampolines be outlawed by the government?
Witold
1:34 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
<sarcasm> Won't somebody think of the children!!! </sarcasm>
Leeroy
1:59 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
I agree with this, BUT man trampolines are way more dangerous than guns. One can go a lifetime of gun ownership without ever making a serious mistake, but it's pretty much guaranteed that if you go on a trampoline, that you WILL be hurt within an hour of total ride time; still, needless laws are needless!.. and despite their danger, they're still hella fun.
Onlyjoined Foraccess
2:12 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
YES, I agree 100%, having worked with quadriplegic kids. Plus our pediatrician warned us about this back in 1974; kids' heads are relatively heavy and their neck muscles are relatively weak, so there is a much larger risk of a catastrophic spinal cord injury if a kid lands wrong. It's not worth it, especially when there are countless safer alternatives.
Leeroy
2:14 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
So... you're saying I SHOULD get one?
Josh Chace
4:06 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Again, going back to proper supervised use. I had a trampoline from the age of 8 at my household without any issues. The times I did get "injured" (and we're only talking bumps bruises and knocked heads) is because we were horsing around, doing what we should have. But the trampoline isn't going to cause some mysterious deadly injury. I can guarantee almost all of those injuries reported were because an uneducated individual was using the trampoline for an unintended purpose, unsupervised, or while under the influence.
Tom
8:35 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Neighbors up the street have one. There's been three incidents of sprains that I know of. Insurance companies should be performing checks on who they insure and charge extra premiums for the added liabilities. Why should my insurance premiums be pooled in to cover some one elses stupidity. The same with pool owners who have huge pool parties for kids.
Leeroy
8:51 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I agree, insurance companies should do more to spy on everyone
Tom
8:56 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I'm not saying spy, but each person should pay for the service rendered. You stick your neck out you should pay for the extra insurance coverage. Specially home owners with added liabilities as Trampolines, ATV Vehicles & Pools.
Leeroy
9:43 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Insurance rep: "So, I was watching you this morning and I saw that you ate more than the FDA recommended serving size of bacon; I'm afraid we're going to have to raise your rates."
Tom
10:21 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Health & life insurance companies charge according to your health today. Smokers pay a higher premium for heath & life insurance. Some insurance companies will not insure smokers. In work we have to carry a pedometer to get a reduction in insurance premiums. Couch potatoes should pay more for their premiums IMO.