Did you know that if you own a trampoline that your homeowners insurance will either surcharge you for the increased risk or exclude the claim from coverage? In fact, many insurance companies will refuse to write policies for homeowners with trampolines altogether.
Why are insurance companies so averse to covering trampoline-related claims? They seem harmless enough. In reality, trampolines are actually very dangerous and can put you and your personal assets at risk if someone injures themselves on your premises.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, trampolines account for over 100,000 emergency room visits every single year at the cost of over $100 million.
Of those injuries, 92.7% involve children under the age of 16, and 59.5% resulted in a broken bone. Even worse, an AAP study from 2012 pointed out that current data on netting and other safety equipment indicates no reduction in injury rates.
If you do own a trampoline, please follow the safety items below to help prevent injuries.
Trampoline Safety Measures
The first safety measure with trampolines recommended by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Canadian Pediatric Society, and the Academy of Sports Medicine is to avoid them altogether.
As one E.R. Doctor recently lamented to the parent of a child injured on a trampoline, “Trampolines are our worst nightmare in terms of the number of accidents they cause.”
If you do own a trampoline, we highly recommend taking these steps to help prevent tragic deaths and serious trampoline injuries, especially paralysis, fractures, sprains, and bruises:
- Allow only one person on the trampoline at a time.
- Do not attempt or allow somersaults because landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis.
- Please do not use the trampoline without a full net enclosure and shock-absorbing pads that completely cover its springs, hooks, and frame.
- Place the trampoline away from structures, trees, and other play areas.
- No child under 6 years of age should use a full-size trampoline as they are the most susceptible to bone injuries.
- Please do not use a ladder with the trampoline because it provides unsupervised access by small children.
- Always supervise children who use a trampoline. (Though, it is worth noting that over half of all trampoline injuries occur with parental supervision nearby.)