The number of Australian children sustaining serious injuries at indoor trampoline parks has increased as the activity grows in popularity, a new report has shown.
Researchers analysed a range of injury surveillance databases and found nearly 500 children presented to hospital emergency departments across three Australian states from 2012 to 2017 due to injuries suffered at indoor trampoline parks.
Injury experts have warned that unless a mandatory Australian standard governs the safety of indoor trampolining, children will continue to be at increased risk of “catastrophic” spinal injuries and lifelong disability.
Injuries sustained included bone fractures, concussion and even more serious spinal and brain injuries.
Lead investigator Lisa Sharwood of the University of Sydney says this is just a “snapshot” and suspects these figures are not truly representative of the serious public health issue.
“These are just cases that attended hospital,” said Sharwood. “There would be many with injuries that will go to their GP, some with a sprained ankle may not even bother going to the doctor.”
Published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, the figures are consistent, however, with data released in 2016.
Indoor trampoline parks have risen in popularity since the first venue opened in 2012, with 80 parks now operating across Australia.
“Before these parks existed there weren’t these types of injuries,” said Sharwood.
Reports of patrons smashing their heads on concrete slabs after jumping into a foam pit is an “absolute violation” of safe practice and the safety of these indoor parks must be improved, she said. “I mean people don’t put their kids in cars and not put the seatbelts on, it’s as simple as that.”
A draft Australian standard is currently under review for release later this year by Standards Australia, but will only be voluntary.
Until there are mandatory national standards to protect children using indoor trampoline parks, parents are advised to do their research and only use venues that are members of the Australian Trampoline Park Association.
