Lithuanian Doctor Warns of Rising Trampoline Injuries Among Children

Santaros Clinics in Lithuania is seeing a concerning number of children admitted for injuries sustained on trampolines, with approximately twenty cases recorded in May. A doctor from the clinic is urging parents to be vigilant about trampoline safety, as the fun activity can lead to serious harm.

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If it is poorly or incorrectly installed/fastened, the trampoline can tip over, collapse, detach, etc., which poses a threat to the child's health.

The clinic's emergency department frequently treats children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, for various injuries. Many of these incidents result in hospitalizations due to complex fractures or other trauma requiring surgical intervention. The doctor emphasized that even with a soft landing surface, the risk of severe injuries like dislocated joints, broken bones, and head trauma is significant.

Parents who own trampolines are advised to strictly follow assembly instructions to prevent the equipment from tipping over or collapsing. Crucially, children should never be left unsupervised. Adults or older siblings must be able to see what is happening to intervene if necessary.

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Jumping together by several people, especially those of very different weights, is not recommended (jumps must coincide), do not push each other. This ends with loss of balance, falling on top of each other, 'collapsing into a pile,' and usually the one at the bottom suffers.

To minimize risks, the doctor advises against multiple people jumping at the same time, especially if they are of significantly different weights, as this can lead to collisions and falls. Likewise, pushing or shoving should be avoided. Children should be taught to jump carefully and stay away from the edges. Young children, particularly those aged 3-4, should not jump alone as they lack the experience and understanding to navigate the risks, often resulting in them falling off and sustaining injuries.

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Do not let small children, aged 3-4, jump alone. They do not yet understand how everything happens, lack experience, and also fall off the trampoline, suffering bruises, wounds, and bone fractures.