Problem: Kids can be injured using trampolines. Injuries usually occur when two or more kids jump on the trampoline at the same time. 60-70% of trampoline injuries happen when more than one child is on the trampoline. One study found that the younger and smaller of the two kids was 14 times more likely than the bigger kid to be injured. This is due to the greater force from the heavier kid, which tends to bounce the lighter child up and off the trampoline.

Solution: Due to thousands of head injuries and fractures caused by trampolines every year, the best solution is to not use them. However if a trampoline is to be used, only one person at a time should be on it. Also an adult should supervise anytime a child uses a trampoline.

Problem: One of the main reasons for elbow fractures in children is from falls from playground monkey bars.

Solution: Do not allow your child to use monkey bars if they have concrete or asphalt under them. Grass, soil and packed earth surfaces are not much better for cushioning falls and should be avoided too. Make sure the playgrounds your family does use has a soft thick surface to cushion a child’s fall under the monkey bars. Rubber mats and wood chips about 12 inches deep are the most ideal surfaces.

Problem: Children may be injured on playground slides by crashing into each other. This happens when a child comes down the slide too soon after the child in front of them.

Solution: Make sure that your child becomes aware of the child sliding in front of them. Tell them not to go down until the previous child is off the slide completely.

Playgrounds are often associated with accidental injuries. Unfortunately, children are prone to a variety of injuries, whether on the playground, jumping on trampolines or playing sports, such as football or gymnastics.  The next several posts will address some of the more common playground injuries and how to prevent them.

Problem: Kids can receive leg fractures on slides. When a parent goes down a slide with a child, sometimes a child’s foot can get stuck on the slide while the parent continues to slide down behind the child with a downward force that can break the small leg. According to a study, 14% of leg fractures among kids at a Long Island hospital in an 11-month period occurred from kids riding down slides with their parents.

Solution: Parents should never ride down slides with their kids at the same time.