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Trampolines may be fun, and they may be good for exercise, but they are also a source of accidents and injury. More than 90,000 people visited emergency rooms because of trampoline injuries in 2001. Most of the accidents affect children; more than 90 percent of such injuries happen to young people under 15.

More than 10 percent of all trampoline injuries affect children under the age of five. It's important to make sure that ladders are removed to keep small children from getting access to the bouncy beds of the equipment.

One very interesting statistic provides a good clue to trampoline safety. Three out of four trampoline injuries occur when two or more people are on the trampoline. Also, the person who weighs the least is five times more likely to be injured than the heavier person. If possible, have kids take turns bouncing. If two people are on, try to make sure they weigh approximately the same.

Adult supervision is not enough to ensure trampoline safety. About half of all accidents occur in supervised situations. It's more important for adults to act as "spotters" to catch those who get too close to the edge of the equipment.

There are many things you can do to decrease the risk of trampoline accidents. Make sure it is not near any overhanging surfaces or tree limbs that someone could bounce into. Make sure the area surrounding the apparatus is soft for landing. If possible, recess the apparatus into a pit. Pad the frame and springs.

In addition to falling off, bumping into another person, or landing on the frame or springs, the other main cause of jumping accidents is bad landings from stunts and tricks. Landing on the neck, back or head instead of the feet can cause paralysis or even death. Before letting children play, have them trained in proper safety and use. Trampolines are not toys.