New Zealand Trampoline Fact Sheet
Hi All
Many of you were requesting the NZ Trampoline Fact Sheet so below is the
text version for you all to see and comment on if you wish. We (NZ) do not
sue companies etc if there is an accident, the ACC (Accident Compensation
Commission) pay part or all of Hospital costs and/or other accident covered
expences.
Trampolines are very popular in NZ, but a disturbing number of children
are being injured while playing on them. Although potentially dangerous,
trampolines are treated as play equipment by many people. The following are
key facts regarding injuries from trampoline use in NZ.
In the Ten years 1979 - 1988, 2800 people were admitted to hospital and two
died from trampoline injuries.
It is estimated that about 2800 people are seen each year in emergency
departments because of injuries from trampoline use.
There has been a steady increase in the number of people being treated in
hospital for trampoline injuries.
For those admitted to Hospital:
- 80% had fallen off and hit either the ground or some other object.
- 71% were using home trampolines
- 96% were under 20 years
- 39% were in the 5 - 9 year age group and 37% were 10 - 14 years old
- Fractures (68%) were the most common injury, and arms were the part of the
body most often injured.
For those who went to emergency departments:
- 40% were 10- 14 years old and 32% were 5 - 9 year olds
- Sprains and strains (44%) and fractures (24%) were the most common injuries
The leg was the part of the body most commonly injured(50%), followed by
the head and neck (24%)
Common Sense Rules for Safer Use
- Check that the trampoline complies with the NZ Standard (NZS 5855:1993) and
that is installed correctly. Get instructions from the supplier of your
trampoline.
- Make sure that the trampoline bed is level.
- Have a trampoline that has a bed big enough so that the user will not fall
off if he/she loses their balance.
- Make surre the trampoline has nothing stacked under it and that the space
surrounding it (at least 2 metres on all 4 sides) is free from hazards such
as walls, furniture etc.
- Have an impact absorbing ground surface such as used in playgrounds (eg
bark chips) around the trampoline for a distance of at least 2 metres on
all 4 sides.
- Have impact absorbing padding attached firmly to the frame to cover all of
the top of the frame and the springs.
- Consider having the trampoline in a pit so that the bed of the trampoline
is level with the ground.
Using the trampoline:
- ALWAYS supervise people on the trampoline. Tell the jumper when they are
moving away from the centre of the bed.
- Have only ONE person on the trampoline at a time. It saves people colliding
or being bounced off.
- Stay off the trampoline if it is wet.
- Get on and off with care. When getting off, stop in the middle, step to the
side, hold the frame and lower yourself to the ground. DO NOT bounce off
onto the ground.
- Do not try somersaults unless you are with a qualified instructor. Most
serious spinal injuries are associated with these."
Well I hope you found that a good read. There are a list of more bits and
peices of reading at the bottom but nothing really positive about the
sport.
Happy/Safe bouncing,
Sarah
Sarah Williams (nee McPherson)
sarahj.williams@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Organising Tutor
Phone: 03-479-7339
Computer Science Department
Fax: 03-479-8529
University of Otago
Dunedin, New Zealand