City rises to spring challenge

Tuesday June 5th, 2012

A primary care trust is taking action against the risks to children posed by trampolines.

According to NHS Bristol, some 338 of the city's children will suffer serious injury from trampolining over the summer if it does not succeed in raising awareness of the risks.

It is offering families free introductory skills sessions for children and their parents - who will be taught how to supervise sessions.

Three major store chains in the city are handing out the vouchers with all their trampolines.

Advice includes letting only one person at a time on to the trampoline and keeping it away from trees and fences.

According to Dr Mark Lyttle and Dr Giles Haythornthwaite, of Bristol Children's Hospital: "Every year we see a significant number of children injured on trampolines with between 300 and 400 children needing to come to the emergency departments in Bristol, with ten per cent of these children requiring inpatient hospital treatment.

"While trampolining is fun and encourages healthy outdoor activity, it is vital that families use trampolines sensibly. We have personally seen some very serious injuries as a result of trampolines."

The city has just hosted the National Schools Trampoline Championship Final and organiser Oliver Monro said: "Trampolining is a safe sport that develops great core strength and co-ordination. In my experience nearly all injuries occur in people's back gardens when safety guidelines are not being followed.

"Injuries are rare when trampolining is supervised by qualified instructors. I recommend that everybody who is thinking about buying a garden trampoline joins a trampoline club to give it a try, before they buy."

Tags: A&E | Child Health | Fitness | UK News

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