Trampoline injuries exceed 1000 per month in New Zealand – ACC data

Experts want a new standard of safety to control trampolines, which are associated with more than 1,000 injuries a month, according to ACC data.

Seventy-eight per cent of trampoline damage claims to the Accident Compensation Corporation involve children aged 14 and under.

The number of head injuries associated with trampolines increased by 289% between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018.

During the same period, neck injuries increased by 33% and lumbar and thoracic spine injuries by 29%.

The annual cost of treating trampoline injuries at VAC has increased from $ 4.2 million to $ 8.9 million; the average cost per patient has risen from $ 443 to $ 683.

Professor Keith Alexander, an engineer at the University of Canterbury, and Consumer NZ wish the introduction of a new standard for trampolines.

Alexander stated that trampoline standards had been removed in 2014. It had been suggested to replace them with Australian standards, but this had not happened.

"In their absence, we have witnessed a flood of substandard imports into the New Zealand market that are frankly dangerous enough for our children."

A few months later, UV rays broke down and the upholstery was often detached during the first year of use and was not replaced.

"That leaves a relatively dangerous product in the backyard."

He urged New Zealand to adopt Australian standard AS4989 and make it mandatory.

Paul Smith, head of consumer testing, said the trampoline testing done by the organization had revealed that all, with the exception of the one invented by Alexander, had failed basic safety tests based on the old New Zealand standard.

Dr. Vicki Vertongen of Wellington Hospital, Emergency Services Specialist, said the children needed to be active, but they also needed to be safe and on a trampoline, which included good closed nets.

"We see many children in the emergency department falling off trampolines without a net, and they often come with broken bones, especially arm and head injuries – which can range from a mild concussion to an injury. the more serious head requiring hospitalization. "