Navicent Health Physicians Encourage Trampoline Safety

Trampolines - Fun Fitness: Can't Be Too Safe

MACON, GA (Thursday, March 3, 2016) - As warmer months approach in central Georgia, physicians at Orthopaedic Trauma Institute (OTI), Atrium Health Navicent urge families to exercise safely when participating in fun activities, particularly trampolining.
“Trampolining is a fun activity that children, and many adults, enjoy.  However, there are more than 100,000 ER visits in the U.S. associated with trampolines each year. Trampoline-related injuries occur at all ages. Trampolining is a fun form of fitness, and injuries are often preventable. Safety is key,” said Dr. Daniel Chan, orthopaedic trauma surgeon with OTI.
According to Dr. Chan, trampoline injuries are most commonly due to colliding into others, performing risky stunts, falling onto springs and frames, or falling off of the trampoline entirely. Dr. Chan and his partners at OTI offer the following safety tips to prevent injuries:

• One person on the trampoline at a time.
• Do not somersault. Landing on head or neck can lead to serious injuries.
• Use enclosures that help prevent falls off trampolines.
• Pad the trampoline frame and springs to minimize risk of injury.
• Be sure trampoline is placed at ground level and in a wide open area.
• Always supervise children and be aware of access/ladders that may lead to unsupervised use. (Trampolines are not recommended for children under 6 years of age.)

“Trampolining is fun and healthy entertainment; however, trampoline related injuries are not uncommon. Therefore, injury prevention through safety is extremely important,” said Dr. Chan.
OTI is here to serve your family in the event of accident and injury. To learn more, please visit navicenthealth.org/service-center/orthopaedic-trauma-institute/, or call 478-633-8682.