INTRODUCTION: With the increasing use of recreational trampolines, more injuries are seen in emergency departments (ED). Little is known about the relationship between adherence to safety precautions and injuries. This retrospective study aims to describe the types of injuries and the precautions taken when using trampolines, and to investigate the relationship between injuries and safety precautions.

METHODS: We reviewed patient lists and the medical records of children younger than 18 years who were treated between 1 April and 30 September 2014 at the ED of Hospital Unit West, Denmark. Demographic data and type of injury were recorded. Patients or guardians were contacted for a structured telephone interview to describe the safety precautions they had taken before the injury occurred. A total of 113 patients were identified, and 100 patients were included in the phone interviews. A total of 13 patients were excluded due to incorrect/missing phone numbers or lack of a Danish home address.

RESULTS: 6% of all children treated in the ED had trampoline-related injuries. A total of 58 (51.3%) patients had fracture injuries, and 55 (48.7%) patients had non-fracture injuries. 4% had complied with all five recommended safety precautions.

CONCLUSIONS: This study describes types of injuries and safety precautions related to trampoline use. 6% of all children in the ED had an injury related to trampoline use.
4% complied with all five recommended safety precautions.