Jumping on a trampoline or inflatable structure (e.g., bouncy castle, bouncer) may seem like a fun and easy way to get exercise. However, trampoline and inflatable structure-related injuries can be serious, particularly when they involve injuries to the head and neck.
Before allowing children to use a trampoline or an inflatable structure, it is important to understand the risks and teach children about trampoline and inflatable structure safety.
These injuries may require surgery and/or admission to the hospital.
Although children can be injured by falling off a trampoline or inflatable structure, many children are injured on the structures themselves by:
children under the age of 20 visited an emergency department
Between 2017 and 2018, 426 Saskatchewan children and youth under the age of 20 visited a participating Saskatchewan emergency department* with a trampoline-related injury.**
of these injuries were considered significant
* The participating emergency departments come from main centres in the previous health regions of Regina Qu’Appelle, Saskatoon, Prince Albert Parkland, and Prairie North. These represent just over 50% of all emergency department visits in Saskatchewan, meaning that the true number of trampoline-related emergency department visits is most likely higher than what is reported here.
** Data source is the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS) and was provided by the Acute Care and Emergency Services Branch of the Ministry of Health. Data analysis was provided by the Public Health Observatory in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
There are no Canadian regulations on the design and construction of trampolines. There are also no mandatory regulations for indoor trampoline park construction or maintenance, number of staff, staff training, or reporting of injuries. ASTM International has developed a standard for trampoline components, assembly, instructions, and warnings to be provided with the product. You can check your trampoline for an ASTM label.
The Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK) has set regulations for licensing of amusement rides and certification of amusement ride contractors. TSASK recommends working only with certified professionals with a valid inflatable structure license. For more information, click here.
Having a net around a trampoline is not enough to keep children safe. In fact, many nets are not installed or used properly (e.g., not closed all the way), meaning that children can still fall off the trampoline. Children may also be more likely to take part in risky jumping when there is a net (e.g., multiple jumpers, pushing and shoving while jumping, flips and other tricks).
Although indoor trampoline parks often do not have hazards like springs or frames, the trampoline beds typically have a higher tensile strength (i.e., harder jumping mats) which results in a more jarring stop and an increased pressure on the jumpers’ bones and joints.
Due to the high number of trampoline-related injuries from both backyard trampolines and indoor trampoline parks, the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine state that trampolines should not be used for recreational purposes at home and should not be seen as play equipment. Instead, these organizations suggest that trampolines should only be used as part of a structured training program with appropriate coaching, supervision, and safety measures in place.
If parents and caregivers choose to allow their children use trampolines and/or inflatable structures, following these recommendations can help to reduce the risk of serious injury:
Set-Up Safely
Operate Safely
Actively Supervise
Monitor Weather
The Supporting Parents Webinar Series focuses on topics to help parents and caregivers learn how to create environments that help children thrive. These webinars can be used as part of parenting groups or can be used by parents and caregivers independently. Interactive activities are used to share strategies and tips to enhance capacity to raise healthy, safe, and happy children. A recording of the webinar content and activity instructions will be available after each event.
This interactive virtual session will explore the various hats that parents and caregivers wear. Participants will reflect on how they carry out and feel about their various roles and responsibilities. This session will offer opportunities to understand why these roles are important, how responsibilities can be reframed, and why taking care of oneself is a crucial part of caring for others.
