Trampoline safety warning for parents in Mid Ulster

The message from Mid Ulster District Council comes after figures revealed that around 20 children are being treated every month for serious injuries, including fractures and head injuries, at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, while many more are treated at their local accident and emergency departments.

The Council is reinforcing some key ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’:

Do:

· Check your garden is suitable for a trampoline

·Assemble the trampoline according to the instructions provided

·Place on a safe, flat surface such as grass.

· Step on and off the trampoline – never jump.

· Use a safety net and always use safety pads that completely cover the springs, hooks and the frame to prevent injuries

·Check the condition of you trampoline for wear and tear.

·Make sure you have a safety perimeter of at least 2.5m around your trampoline and it’s away from fences, walls and trees

·In windy conditions move your trampoline to a sheltered area, remove the enclosure and secure it to the ground using a trampoline anchoring kit.

Don’t:

•Let your child play on a trampoline unsupervised

• Let more than one person play on the trampoline at any one time, the person weighing less is five times more likely to be injured.

•Allow anyone to crawl under the trampoline.

• Position your trampoline on a hard surface such as concrete, patio, gravel or hard packed mud.

Anyone who would like more information should contact the Council’s Home Safety Officer on 03000 132 132 or email [email protected]