Beware trampolines!
Discussion
A cautionary tale.
Just got our twins a trampoline for their fifth birthday. Was out till 10.30pm putting it together - the last stage sewing the catch net onto the base by torchlight. Was worried all the time doing it - not least by the signs warning of danger of paralysis - doesn't feel good buying something that you know could seriously damage your kids, but you figure that you can't kid glove them.
But they loved it, and having tested it out carefully we decided that the catch net was substantial enough to keep them safe.
But then yesterday - 5 days in - Harry has fallen off the side of it, outside of the catch net, trying to get off (we think he was for some reason trying to zip up the door behind him). Just got back from 36 hours in hospital - he broke two bones in his arm, dislocated his elbow, and has ended up with a pin holding it all together. Was in surgery for over an hour, and is now in for his second night, before hopefully coming home tomorrow.
Feel completely heartbroken that we've done this to him - he was so happy playing with all his new toys - and now he's spent a couple days in agony and has a month in plaster to look forward to. He should heal well but feel so guilty.
So - bear in mind it isn't just the bouncing bit that's dangerous - not sure what system you should have for getting on and off, but for us it's going to be lifting them and locking the zip with them inside - if I don't take a sledgehammer to the thing first.
Just got our twins a trampoline for their fifth birthday. Was out till 10.30pm putting it together - the last stage sewing the catch net onto the base by torchlight. Was worried all the time doing it - not least by the signs warning of danger of paralysis - doesn't feel good buying something that you know could seriously damage your kids, but you figure that you can't kid glove them.
But they loved it, and having tested it out carefully we decided that the catch net was substantial enough to keep them safe.
But then yesterday - 5 days in - Harry has fallen off the side of it, outside of the catch net, trying to get off (we think he was for some reason trying to zip up the door behind him). Just got back from 36 hours in hospital - he broke two bones in his arm, dislocated his elbow, and has ended up with a pin holding it all together. Was in surgery for over an hour, and is now in for his second night, before hopefully coming home tomorrow.
Feel completely heartbroken that we've done this to him - he was so happy playing with all his new toys - and now he's spent a couple days in agony and has a month in plaster to look forward to. He should heal well but feel so guilty.
So - bear in mind it isn't just the bouncing bit that's dangerous - not sure what system you should have for getting on and off, but for us it's going to be lifting them and locking the zip with them inside - if I don't take a sledgehammer to the thing first.
MikeO996 said:
we think he was for some reason trying to zip up the door behind him
You think he was trying to zip the door? Would I be correct in my assumption (accept my apologies if I am wrong) that you only think thats what happened as there wasn't any adult supervision at the time?
You keep telling yourself that - but doesn't change wanting a time machine.
There's nothing wrong with it design wise -it's very solid - just didn't think through the getting on and off issue. I've not measured it but I guess it's four foot off the ground - he fell backwards full force on his elbow.
There's nothing wrong with it design wise -it's very solid - just didn't think through the getting on and off issue. I've not measured it but I guess it's four foot off the ground - he fell backwards full force on his elbow.
oobster said:
MikeO996 said:
we think he was for some reason trying to zip up the door behind him
You think he was trying to zip the door? Would I be correct in my assumption (accept my apologies if I am wrong) that you only think thats what happened as there wasn't any adult supervision at the time?
MikeO996 said:
oobster said:
MikeO996 said:
we think he was for some reason trying to zip up the door behind him
You think he was trying to zip the door? Would I be correct in my assumption (accept my apologies if I am wrong) that you only think thats what happened as there wasn't any adult supervision at the time?MikeO996 said:
oobster said:
MikeO996 said:
we think he was for some reason trying to zip up the door behind him
You think he was trying to zip the door? Would I be correct in my assumption (accept my apologies if I am wrong) that you only think thats what happened as there wasn't any adult supervision at the time?Ok, let's face it, children will be children, and you cannot wrap them up in cotton wool. Most kids will hurt themselves at some stage or other, a broken bone or two is to be expected. You were seeking to mitigate their risks by having the trampoline in your garden and so on. You've been framed is full of similar accidents where the kids don't end up in hospital, but your kid was unlucky this time.
Don't stress yourself out about it.
PS, I don't have children but I do have a nice selection of scars (as do my siblings) as a result of the odd accident - hell, I managed to slice my chin open by riding my BMX down a slide...
Don't stress yourself out about it.
PS, I don't have children but I do have a nice selection of scars (as do my siblings) as a result of the odd accident - hell, I managed to slice my chin open by riding my BMX down a slide...
I still have the scars from hitting an apple tree on my first motorbike in the garden when I was less than 3!
My old boy was inside whatching the footy and my elder brother was in charge on his bike! He was 4 and a half!
Course, this was when this was all fields......
OP, dont know why your worried, they are twins, so you still have a "decent spare!"
My old boy was inside whatching the footy and my elder brother was in charge on his bike! He was 4 and a half!
Course, this was when this was all fields......
OP, dont know why your worried, they are twins, so you still have a "decent spare!"
Edited by poo at Paul's on Monday 10th May 21:49
There are loads of articles in the american and british medical journals regarding the surge in accidents since trampolines have become popular. As you say, you can't wrap kids up in cotton wool but the number of accidents I have attended relating to trampolines certainly means that if I ever had kids, they will not be having a trampoline. Injuries have included neck fractures, severe head injuries and nasty limb fractures.
Don't feel too bad about it - my youngest, age 5 at the time, fell off the trampoline while trying to climb down and broke his collar bone. Healed fine and now, two years on he loves bouncing as much as ever. It's great fun and exercise and as said before, an accident can happen anywhere.
Hope your son's arm heals up fine and he's not too uncomfortable with it.
Hope your son's arm heals up fine and he's not too uncomfortable with it.
mobi said:
There are loads of articles in the american and british medical journals regarding the surge in accidents since trampolines have become popular. As you say, you can't wrap kids up in cotton wool but the number of accidents I have attended relating to trampolines certainly means that if I ever had kids, they will not be having a trampoline. Injuries have included neck fractures, severe head injuries and nasty limb fractures.
You're not wrong, I was watching some A&E type programme a while back and this kid came in who fell and bent his knee at a strange angle on one, he walked into his house but his knee started throbbing and was painful, turned out he tore the artery in his leg and was lucky to survive it.Hope your lad makes a swift recovery
.After being around the real things for 10 years or so. I have seen as many injuries from people getting off/on the tramp as I have people on them. These include
- Broken Noses
- Broken Jaws
- Piece of tongue
- Broken Ankles
- Broken Wrists
- Broken coccyx
I think the one that stands out most is a giant, and I mean huge, swollen forehead after they tripped and planted there head perfectly square upon the floor.
Don't get me started on injuries when actually on the things
- Broken Noses
- Broken Jaws
- Piece of tongue
- Broken Ankles
- Broken Wrists
- Broken coccyx
I think the one that stands out most is a giant, and I mean huge, swollen forehead after they tripped and planted there head perfectly square upon the floor.
Don't get me started on injuries when actually on the things
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