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Australian trampoline injury patterns and trends
Karen Ashby1, Sophie Pointer2, David Eager3
1Monash Injury Research Institute, Monash University, Victoria.
Insights
Trampoline injuries increased nationally from 2002-2011, especially in children aged 5-9. Safety standards and netted enclosures did not reduce injury rates, suggesting a need for better risk communication.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Injury Prevention
- Consumer Product Safety
Background:
- Trampoline use has increased in popularity.
- Product safety standards and design modifications have been implemented to reduce trampoline-related injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze national trampoline injury patterns and trends.
- To evaluate the impact of safety standards and design changes on injury rates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized National Hospital Morbidity data for analysis.
- Examined injury data from 2002 to 2011.
Main Results:
- An average of 1,737 trampoline injuries were reported annually.
- Both injury frequency and rate increased significantly across all age groups, peaking in children aged 5-9.
- Falls constituted the majority of injuries, with 81% resulting in fractures.
Conclusions:
- Voluntary Australian Standards for trampoline safety showed no observable effect on population injury rates.
- Netted enclosures may create a false sense of security, potentially increasing injury risk.
Objectives:
To examine national trampoline injury patterns and trends in the context of improved product safety standards and trampoline design modifications.
Method:
Review of National Hospital Morbidity data.
Results:
There were an average 1,737 trampoline injuries reported nationally each year from 2002 to 2011. Both injury frequency and rate grew. Statistically significant rate increases were observed among all age groups, although both are highest among children aged 5-9 years. From 2008/09 there is a possible decreasing trend among the 5-9 age group. Falls predominate and 81% of falls result in fracture. Non-fall injuries increased annually as a proportion of all hospitalised injury although they did not comprise more than 2.4% in any one year.
Conclusions:
History provides no evidence of an observable effect of voluntary Australian Standards for trampoline safety on population rates for trampoline injury. The major design modification--netted enclosures--could contribute to the risk of injury by leading parents to falsely believe that a netted enclosure eradicates the risk of injury.
