Tag Archives: trampolines

General Safety Issues

PREVENTING SUMMER INJURIES (Guest Post)

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Summer is the time of increased activity and all-day outdoor fun, but it can also be the season of injury and mishap when excited kids become reckless in their enthusiasm. Parents and childcare providers can spend the dog days patching up contusions and rushing to the emergency room, or they can take a few simple steps to help prevent the most common summer injuries.
  • Ban Trampolines – Few backyard toys scream “summertime” quite like a big, bouncy trampoline. Unfortunately, kids run a significant risk of getting hurt every time they catch some air; The American Academy of Pediatrics even goes so far as to say that “parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use home trampolines.” Falls from the surface of a trampoline can cause impact injuries, springs can pinch, tear and cut delicate flesh, not to mention the inherent risk of injury due to collision when kids share a trampoline. Supervision only allows parents or caregivers to be present immediately following an injury; the nature of trampoline play makes it almost impossible to ward off an impending accident before it occurs. Installing a net and instituting a “one at a time” rule might prevent some injuries, but are by no means foolproof.
  • Use Sunscreen Religiously – Sunburns may seem like par for the kiddie summertime course, but parents should understand that they are, in fact, injuries. The Skin Cancer Foundation asserts that a single severe sunburn during childhood could double the risk of a skin cancer diagnosis in adulthood, not to mention the ease with which a “minor” sunburn can become one that blisters and causes serious discomfort. Sunburns that present with blisters are actually second-degree burns, and are absolutely preventable injuries. Apply sunscreen before kids go outside, and reapply frequently. Swimming and sweating heavily can wash away even “waterproof” formulas over time, so be sure to keep slathering it on kids that are particularly active or playing in water.
  • Be Vigilant About Pool Safety – The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that almost 75% of child drowning deaths occur in youngsters under the age of five, and that an annual average of 390 pool or spa-related drownings of children under the age of 15 drowned between 2007 and 2009. Kiddie pools are no exception. During summer months, 1 child dies every 5 days in a kiddie pool. Parents and childcare providers are urged to practice “touch supervision,” meaning that they are never out of reach of a child in water. Outlaw running in pool areas, horseplay and risky activities to prevent injury, and become certified in CPR to prevent tragedy when accidents aren’t avoided.
  • Keep Kids Cool and Hydrated – Sunshine and summer heat are part of what makes the outdoors appealing; free from restrictive layers of warm clothing that are de rigueur in winter, kids can climb, run and play to their hearts’ content. Unfortunately, the heat and increased activity also puts kids at risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which they’re already more susceptible to than their adult counterparts. Little bodies generate more heat and sweat less, so parents and caregivers are urged to dress kids in light clothes, make sure that they stay hydrated and avoid prolonged and intense activity in the summer heat. Encourage kids to take breaks, provide plenty of fluids, such as water and Gatorade and keep your eyes peeled for signs of heat exhaustion, which include cramps, nausea, dizziness, vomiting and fainting. Kids suffering from heat exhaustion may also deny that they feel hot, so it’s imperative to watch for other symptoms.
  • Enforce Strict Helmet Rules – Older kids may like to shuck their bicycle helmets the moment they’re out of your sight, but it’s still important that parents and caregivers do their best to enforce those rules without exception. Head and brain injuries are common causes of hospital visits for children, often due to bicycle accidents in which the head is not protected by a helmet. Make it a policy never to let your child ride without a helmet.
  • Get a Mouth Guard For Summer Sports – Community sports leagues and teams are often formed during the summer months, allowing kids to play without worries about the demands of schoolwork and keeping them active during what could easily become a very sedentary, unhealthy time. Enrolling kids in these programs is a wise idea, but parents should always invest in a quality mouth guard to protect kids’ mouths. Not only does this help to prevent tooth loss; mouth guards also provide protection for the tongue, jaw and lips.

Some scrapes, cuts and bruises are simply inevitable; children at play have a tendency to trip, fall and run into things. However, the most common, serious injuries are almost always preventable, so adopt an active approach to supervision during the summer months.

Carrie Dotson, summernannyjobs.com

Please follow these tips, as summer as far from over in several parts of the world. pb

 

General Safety Issues

ARE TRAMPOLINES A SAFE ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN? (GUEST POST)

Are trampolines really a safe activity for children? (By Jonathan Rosenfeld)

When used responsibly, trampolines can provide a lot of entertainment but the rate of injury among minors is staggering. In a study performed in the early 2000s, over 82% of trampoline injuries involved children under the age of 18, signaling the need to evaluate what measures we take to prevent a trampoline injury. Trampoline  injury rates may be on the decline when they are used under proper supervision, but there is still a significant risk of injury that is most prevalent for children near the age of 10.

The areas usually affected by trampoline injury are:

  • The legs, ankles or feet
  • Arms, wrists or hands
  • Knees
  • Head
  • Spine

More injuries to the lower body occur on trampolines than anywhere else on the body, with a reported 42% of injuries occurring on the lower body as opposed to the chest, arms, head or neck. The severity of injury that each person in the study suffered was alarming as well. 83% of the injuries reported involved some form of fracture which required emergency care.

About 14% of injuries on trampolines involve lacerations that require medical attention. These injuries usually occur when a person lands on his or her head. Knee and elbow scrapes are common if the trampoline is used improperly, but do not pose as great a threat as injuries to the face or neck. The severity of lacerations that occur as a result of trampoline injuries varies greatly depending on how the injury was sustained. Most of these injuries involve some form of stunt or jumping on a trampoline with another person.

The risk of spinal cord injury on trampoline related activities is over 8% on full sized trampolines compared to less than 3% on mini trampolines. Trampoline parks in the Chicago have recently become a popular recreational activity for children of all ages.  While the ‘parks’ have reported fewer injuries than anticipated, the biggest factor for their improved safety record is that  these facilities require children to use the trampoline independently as opposed to in a group. This simple— yet very effective safety measure– should be taken into consideration when allowing your children to play in a trampoline in a backyard setting in order to reduce the risk of serious injury.

In order to effectively reduce spinal cord injury on trampolines, children should be prohibited from attempting stunts such as flips and back flips. Many injuries occur as the direct result of a stunt gone badly as well as by sharing the trampoline with another person. In general, adults exercise more personal caution and therefore, suffer less injury. More supervision and awareness will help reduce the number of accidents that occur that involve children.

Hopefully the safety measures implemented at trampoline parks in the Chicagoland will serve as a reminder that both homeowners and facilities must be vigilant when it comes to trampoline safety.  The safety measures really do work! When the trampoline park opened in Carol Stream, IL there were over three ambulance calls each month due to a trampoline park injury. When it was announced that another park was to be opened in a nearby suburb residents were extremely concerned due to the high rate of injury that was reported from the sister facility. However, by implementing new rules such as only allowing one person on a trampoline at a time, injury rates fell dramatically in both locations.

Even though incident rates have gone down substantially, you must exercise care when allowing your children to play in a trampoline park and in home-based settings. Prevent trampoline accidents by telling your children ahead of time what to avoid and be sure to follow all of the rules for the trampoline before they get on the platform. Further, while it is true that safety measures can reduce the rate of trampolines injuries on trampolines, parents can never let their guard down when the risk of serious injury is present.

About Jonathan Rosenfeld

Jonathan Rosenfeld is the founder of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, and has a law practice devoted to representing children and adults who have been harmed due to the negligence of others. 

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
33 North Dearborn Street, #1930
Chicago, IL 60602
(888) 424-5757

Our thanks to Jonathan for this insight into the do’s and don’ts of playing on trampolines.  It’s best to not get too fancy with stunts until there’s someone who can give instructions on the proper methods.  Play it safe, and have fun. pb

General Safety Issues

SAFETY THOUGHTS ABOUT POOLS AND TRAMPOLINES

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There is a debate among some parents about which is safer, a pool or trampoline?  They are both fun for children, but they also both pose dangers.  The key to safety with either is supervision by parents.  When children are taught safety and are given rules to follow that are enforced, they can have fun and be safe at the same time. 

Most parents don’t understand that trampolines require the same amount of supervision as pools.  When children are unsupervised, most injuries occur.  Serious accidents can occur when children of different weights are double  jumping, and the smaller child becomes a missile and is thrown from the trampoline.  Serious neck injuries may occur.  Letting children jump alone is as dangerous as swimming alone.  Falling from a trampoline improperly can cause sprains or broken bones.  Sometimes children land on the trampoline edge.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends trampolines should be used as training devices, not toys.  Injuries that can occur are spinal injuries, falling the wrong way, head lacerations, or colliding with other jumpers.  Children under 17 should be supervised at all times.  Between 2000 and 2005, there were an estimated 88,563 emergency room visits by injured trampoline participants.

Persons who own swimming pools must supervise their children at all times.  Between 2000 and 2009, more than 675 preschoolers drowned each year.  Another 2,000 preschoolers almost drowned, the majority of them in their own pool.  Parents can be out of sight for less than five minutes, and their little one may drown.  

Pools should have a 4’ high fence on all four sides, with a self-closing gate and latch out of the reach of children.  Alarms can alert parents if someone enters the pool area.  Parents or caregivers should take every thing they might need while their toddler is swimming: towels, snacks, sunscreen, phone, so they will never have to leave the pool.  The phone is also handy in case of an emergency. 

Drowning continues to be the second leading cause of death for children ages 1-19.  Drowning is silent!  Think about the cunningness of a toddler.  They watch us and learn how to open a door, or take a stool out to reach something.  They are more than capable of figuring out how to reach a door handle even with a lock, and head straight for the pool.  There’s no screaming or yelling with drowning.  The child quietly goes beneath the water and sinks.  The consequences of drowning are devastating.   Even those children that have had swimming lessons and are capable of swimming should have some sort of flotation device with them. 

Please take time to think about making your back yard as safe for your children as possible.  Whether it’s a trampoline or swimming pool, you can’t be too careful.  Teach them how important it is to not get on a trampoline or into the water unless mom or dad or a caregiver is present.  Having a swimming pool or trampoline ensures that your home will be the “fun” place for your family and your kids’ friends to gather.  Just remember: the biggest issue surrounding children playing in pools and jumping on trampolines is parental supervision!  It only takes seconds for an accident to happen.

 

 

Source: KidsDr.com, WFAA.com