Trampolines virtually disappeared from supervised school physical education programs in the late 1970s due to their dangerous nature. They have since re-appeared in unsupervised suburban backyards. The majority of injuries from trampolines come not from falling off the device and not from hitting the frame, but simply from off-balance contact with the mat or colliding with another person jumping.

Suggestions for limiting the risk of injury to children jumping on trampolines have included
1) recessing the tramp into the ground so that the mat is at ground level
2) padding the supportive frame and springs
3) placing a limit of one jumper at a time and
4) close adult supervision.
5) allowing no children younger than 6 years old to participate

Even these sensible precautions do not prevent serious injuries.

The likelihood of injury has been found to remain constant regardless of the experience of the user, remaining steady from beginning recreational users to elite gymnasts. More experience does not seem to decrease risk.

The bottom line is that trampoline jumping cannot be made safe, and frequent limb and occasional spine injuries should be expected if parents allow this activity. Some homeowners insurance policies now exclude trampoline injuries.

Trampolines are only truly safe when they are completely dismantled and stored far away from children.

Pediatric Orthopaedics is the medical subspecialty devoted to the care of bone and joint conditions in children.