In recent years, trampolines have become popular among American households. The trampoline market is also projected to reach $3.9 billion by 2026. However, the more popular it becomes, the more injuries occur. 

Over 1 million Americans were admitted to emergency rooms due to trampoline accidents between 2002 and 2011, with medical costs totaling an estimated $1 billion annually. This is a cause for significant concern for the safety of both children and adults. 

As enjoyable as it is, you might think twice about buying one when you become aware of the trampoline-related injury statistics by the end of this article. 

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  • Over 1 million Americans were admitted to emergency rooms due to trampoline accidents between 2002 and 2011.
  • Of 100,000 people treated in emergency rooms for trampoline injuries, 500 suffer permanent neurologic damage yearly. 
  • 288,876 (29%) of the 1,002,735 emergency room visits account for sustained fractures among trampoline-related injuries between 2002 and 2011. 
  • There was a 168% increase in trampoline injuries in the United Kingdom in 2020.
  • Trampolines were responsible for more than 6,500 pediatric cervical spine injuries in the United States.
  • Approximately 15% of trampoline-related injuries were traumatic brain injuries over two years.
  • Children who used a trampoline at the park were more than twice as likely to sustain musculoskeletal and orthopedic injuries.
  • Children aged 5 to 15 consistently sustain over 90% of trampoline injuries.
  • The average age for axial skeleton injuries was substantially higher at 16.6 years old.
  • There were 22 deaths recorded from trampoline use between 2000 and 2009. 
  • In the U.S., there were 13 reported deaths associated with trampolines from 2010 through 2019. 

How Many People Get Injured on Trampolines Yearly

Every year, over 100,000 people in the U.S. are treated in emergency rooms for trampoline injuries, with 500 resulting in permanent neurologic damage. These injuries may either be life-threatening or benign. Regardless of the gravity of the injuries, this causes harm to any person, especially children.

Find out how trampolines are more dangerous than you think. Continue reading for more information.   

1. There were more than 300,000 medically treated trampoline injuries in 2018, and more than 110,000 were visits to the emergency room.

(AAOS)

There is a high probability of trampoline injuries requiring medical attention, as shown by this statistic. Some of these injuries may be fatal. As such, one should exercise caution when using it.

2. A UK-based study published in Bone & Joint Open discovered a 168% increase in trampoline injuries in the United Kingdom in 2020, 

(Bone and Joint Open)

The 2020 data is almost four times higher than the injuries reported in 2019. This is likely due to increased trampoline use during COVID lockdowns as more people stayed home. Trampoline has been their recreational activity because of limited outdoor activities imposed during the pandemic. 

(USCPSC)

The numbers speak of how prevalent trampoline-related injuries are even amid the pandemic in 2019. Like the UK, U.S. citizens ease the stresses of the pandemic through trampolining. Unfortunately, their recreational activity had turned out to be the cause of their injury.  

(Policy Genius)

This reminds parents to supervise their young children when using a trampoline. Parents must teach children to jump and land on the trampoline safely or to use it one at a time to avoid collisions among children inside the trampoline. 

Statistics of Types of Injuries Caused by Trampolines

Despite efforts to make trampolines less dangerous with enclosures and other safety nets and features, the number and variety of injuries continue to rise. The types of trampoline injuries range from:

  • Minor lacerations 
  • Fractures 
  • Head injuries
  • Trunk injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries 

To prevent these types of injuries, find out which ones are the most common in the following statistics.   

5. Soft Tissue Injuries account for 51.9% of trampoline injuries in the U.S.

(Policy Genius)

This type of injury can be life-threatening and may require immediate medical attention, so much so that pediatricians and medical professionals advise against trampolines. 

6. 34.6% of trampoline accident injuries cause fractures. 

(Policy Genius)

Fractures usually occur when a person jumps off the trampoline and lands on their feet; their ankle or foot may snap backward. This also happens when someone falls off the trampoline and onto solid ground.

(Policy Genius)

Lacerations are also inevitable. It may happen when a person jumps and lands on a sharp object. That is why it is best to check if the trampoline is appropriately anchored to the ground and remove sharp objects near it. 

Other types of injuries are lower extremities injuries at 36%, upper extremities injuries at 31.8%, head injuries at 14.5%, trunk Injuries at 9.8%, and neck injuries at 7.9%. Lower extremities injuries are more common than other injuries because of Improper landing. This data also tells us to take safety measures seriously when using the trampoline. 

8. 33% of the 800,969 injuries calculated were sprain injuries. 

(Shaw Cowart)

These are common injuries in the knees, ankles, and shoulders. This is a reminder to wear a helmet, knee, and elbow pads to prevent this injury. 

(NISS)

Brown and Lee's study found that trampolines were responsible for more than 6,500 pediatric cervical spine injuries in the United States. On the other hand, approximately 15% of trampoline-related injuries were traumatic brain injuries over two years.

Fractures are common because of improper jumping off and landing on the trampoline. Some fractures are also due to a trampoline mishap when it is accidentally damaged or not in good condition. Traumatic brain injury may result in paralysis. This statistic reminds you that if you cannot avoid trampolines, jump safely and adequately off the trampoline. 

This data also prompt pediatricians and doctors to advocate for a ban on using trampolines by children.

10. More than twice as many kids who used a trampoline at a park than those who used one at home were likely to suffer musculoskeletal and orthopedic problems.

(British Medical Journal)

This is understandable, given that lesser supervision of children in parks will almost certainly lead to more injuries. Close supervision of parents is always a must if children wish to engage in this activity.

Trampoline Injuries by Age

Trampolines are not just for children. Teenagers and adults also enjoy it, so it is no surprise that some adults seek treatment for trampoline-related injuries. 

Since trampolines know no age, especially with the different types of injury you will sustain. Find out what age is vulnerable to sustaining injuries in trampolining as you read on. 

11. Children aged 5 to 15 consistently sustain over 90% of trampoline injuries. 

(AAOS)

The data present that younger children are at risk of more injuries. Young children are 14 times more likely to get hurt than bigger children.

12. The average age for axial skeleton injuries was substantially higher at 16.6 years old.

(Crosley Law Firm)

This is caused by older children's higher, more forceful jumping and the fact that teenagers are risk-takers. Young children may not understand the consequences of their actions. Still, they are not risk-takers, unlike teenagers.

13. The most common injuries among adults were sprains to the extremities among ages 31–62.

(Pub Med Central)

This accounts for 58.4% of the injured victims, while ages 16-30 years old at 50.8%. Although trampolines are popular among children, adults are not safe themselves. The data shows that the older the age group, the greater the trampoline injuries. This might be due to adults' physical and physiological health as they age. 

Trampoline Injury Fatality Statistics

According to Consumer Product Safety Commission data, there are just over two fatalities per year on average. The number of deaths is few, but it still proves that trampoline is an attractive nuisance as it could be a hazard to anyone using it. 

Medical professionals have emphasized the dangers of trampolines at home or in parks. But how dangerous can it get? The fatality statistics related to trampolines will not lie to you. 

14. There were 22 deaths recorded  from trampoline use in the 10 years between 2000 and 2009 

(Policy Genius)

Fatalities related to trampolines are scarce. However, it should still be a cause of concern since more children are using it. The risk of injury and even death is inevitable among children and adults.  

15. In the U.S., there were 13 reported deaths associated with trampolines from 2010 through 2019. 

(Shaw Cowart)

This proves there is a decrease in the number of deaths associated with trampoline activity compared to 2009. This might also be a sign that people, especially parents, have been aware of the dangers of trampolines and have employed safety measures to protect their children from injuries.  

Final Thoughts 

As trampolines become more popular in the United States, associated injuries rise. These injuries are severe and, in some cases, fatal. Young children are sometimes killed. 

To understand the risks, you must use trampoline injury statistics to prevent injuries. Ensuring the trampoline is in good condition and adequately installed helps reduce the risk. 

Using nets and pads also reduces injury risks by 22%. Most importantly, parents should closely supervise their children, while adults should always exercise caution when using a trampoline.