Doctors want ban on children playing on trampolines
Citing nearly 100,000 injuries from jumping on trampolines in 2009, the American Academy of Pediatrics has also dismissed the recent addition of safety nets around trampolines.
Health officials say children should be banned from jumping on trampolines because they are too dangerous.
The American Academy of Pediatrics said there were almost 100,000 injuries caused by trampoline use in 2009, Reuters reported.
It also noted that the addition of safety nets made little difference to the injury rate amongst children.
Interviewed on NBC News, Dr Michele LaBotz, a sports medicine physician at Intermed Sports Medicine in Portland, Oregon, said the nets simply lull parents into a false sense of security.
"This is not a toy. It’s a piece of equipment. We recommend that you not provide it for your family or your neighbours to use. But if you do use one, you need to be aware of the risks."
"What they don’t realise is that once you get it to bouncing, especially if there are multiple users, it can be dangerous."
ABC News said data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) revealed the 75 per cent of trampoline injuries happen when there is more than one person jumping on one.
Younger, smaller children were at greater risk of significant injuries, suffering fractures of the arms and legs, and in serious cases spinal injuries.