05 June 2015
Summer safety campaign encourages kids to jump for joy
Parents across Bristol are being encouraged to teach their
children how to use garden trampolines safely in order to enjoy an
injury free summer.
Avonsafe Bristol, the local injury prevention organisation, has
commissioned the campaign and teamed up with University Hospitals
Bristol and local charity Lifeskills in order to communicate
messages about how to have fun safely.
In Bristol during 2013 almost 15,500 children aged 0 - 15 years
needed emergency treatment at hospital. An estimated 2.5% (387) of
the injuries happened when using garden trampolines and it is
likely that thousands of minor injuries which didn't require
emergency treatment will have occurred.
Dr Giles Haythornthwaite, paediatric emergency medicine
consultant at University Hospitals Bristol, said: "Across the
country, a surprising number of children are taken to hospital with
garden trampoline-related injuries, which are often the result of
using the equipment incorrectly. The most common injuries are limb
fractures, including more serious open fractures and elbow
fractures, which can often require surgery. Significant head and
neck injuries are also possible.
"With summer just around the corner, it's important that parents
know how to set up garden trampolines correctly and follow the
golden rules, such as just one person jumping at a time."
To raise awareness with parents, posters and leaflets will be
displayed in key locations such as GP surgeries, schools and
Bristol children's hospital, as well as in toy stores where people
can buy garden trampolines.
To engage with the children directly, Lifeskills is running a
competition with all Bristol primary schools where pupils can win a
free trampoline session at local club, Axis.
Councillor Daniella Radice, Assistant Mayor for Neighbourhoods
with responsibility for Public Health, said: "Trampolines are great
fun for children but their use is risky and should only be used by
one child at a time. If you can get your children to a trampolining
club, this will build up their trampolining skills in a safe
environment".
Rob Benington, from Public Health Bristol, said: "Bristol has
excellent trampoline clubs where children can use a proper Olympic
sized trampoline and learn skills that might start a habit that can
last a lifetime. This summer we are encouraging parents to take
their children to visit the clubs so they can 'try before you buy'
- and we hope lots of school children will engage with the
Lifeskills competition as well."
For more information or to download the safety poster visit https://www.tinyurl.com/avonsafe-trampolines
Details about Axis Trampoline Club can be found here: http://www.axistrampolineclub.co.uk/
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