ACCC urges parents to consider trampoline safety

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An average of eight Aussie kids are injured every day on trampolines, according to a new survey conducted by Kidsafe Western Australia on behalf of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Released to coincide with International Product Safety Week, the survey also uncovered a number of unsafe practices that are putting children at risk of serious injury, including inadequate supervision and having more than five children on a trampoline at once.

With hundreds of children hospitalised every year with trampoline-related injuries, including fractures, open wounds, dislocations and head injuries, ACCC Commissioner, Sarah Court, warns “Trampolines can put children at risk of serious injury, particularly when used inappropriately. Children aged five to nine are at greatest risk of being hurt".

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To combat the problem, the ACCC has launched a new campaign in conjunction with Kidsafe to educate parents about safe trampolining practices. The campaign features a video titled Trampoline safety - It's flippin' important, with Olympian trampolinist, Blake Gaudry, outlining the ACCC's five-step safety checklist.

“We need to ensure trampoline safety precautions are followed to minimise the risk of injury. The ACCC, with Kidsafe’s support, is sending the safety checklist to schools and childcare centres and we’ll be encouraging trampoline suppliers to share the safety messages to consumers,” Ms Court said.

IS YOUR TRAMPOLINE SAFE? THE FIVE-STEP SAFETY CHECKLIST:

1. One at a time
Make sure there is only one child on the trampoline.

2. Supervise
Watch children at all times, and take extra care with younger children as they are more prone to serious injury.

3. Safety padding
Always use safety padding on the frame.

4. Check condition
Regularly check the:
* mat and net don’t have holes
* springs are intact and securely attached at both ends
* frame is not bent
* leg braces are locked.

5. Hazard free surrounds
Make sure:
* the area around the trampoline is free from hazards like fences or garden furniture
* there is an overhead clearance to avoid objects like clotheslines, trees and wires.

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