Objective: Recreational trampoline   use is increasing in popularity, with a resulting increase in significant   trampoline-related injuries in children. Parents are the best advocates for   the safety of their children during recreational trampoline use. Our primary   objective was to determine the proportion of parents who were aware of 5 key   recommendations for safer recreational trampoline use in children. 

Methods: This was a cross-sectional   survey of parents whose children presented to a tertiary care pediatric   emergency department with an extremity injury. Survey questions were derived and validated using expert opinion, available literature, and pre- and pilot   testing of questions on the target audience. 

Results: Of the 1415 enrolled parents, 654 (46.2%) had regular access   to a trampoline and 125 (8.8%) of their children had a history of trampoline   injury. A total of 116 (8.2%; 95% confidence interval, 6.8–9.6) parents were   aware of all 5 key safety recommendations for home trampoline use. Specifically, the proportion of parents who reported knowledge of the   requirement for active supervision, regularly inspected safety equipment,   avoiding stunts, multiple jumpers, and use by children 6 years of age and   older was 89.0%, 77.2%, 44.3%, 41.6%, and 18.3%, respectively. 

Conclusions: Trampoline safety   knowledge of the 5 key recommendations among parents was low, specifically   with respect to recommended age, number of jumpers, and stunts. Because it is   unlikely that use of recreational trampolines will decrease, a harm reduction   approach that includes a public knowledge translation strategy of   recommendations for safer home use of trampolines is necessary.

Authors: Suzanne Beno, Alun Ackery, Keith Colaco, Kathy Boutis