Trampoline and Bounce House Safety

Trampolines and bounce houses, while enticing sources of fun and physical activity, present a significant risk of injury, particularly for children.

Trampoline-related injuries have been a concern for years, especially among children. Between 2009 and 2018, a national database was examined to determine the frequency of trampoline injuries. As reported in a 2022 Pediatric Emergency Care article, there were more than 800,000 children who sustained injuries during this period, most occurring at children’s homes. Fractures occurred in 34% of the injuries and strains/sprains occurred in 33% of cases.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons have both expressed caution against recreational trampoline use due to the risk of serious injuries. In fact, they advise not to buy a mini- or full-sized trampoline for home use, and they should not be used in routine gym classes or on playgrounds. Only consider use as described in the list below.

"Any home use of trampolines is considered dangerous and is strongly discouraged," said Terri Cappello, M.D., a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Shriners Children's Chicago. "Many parents are not aware of the risks of backyard trampoline use, and might not be aware of safety measures such as nets and only allowing one person on the trampoline at a time. But even with these measures, significant injury can occur."