“Air” on the side of caution & win a Fitbit Flex 2

An afternoon of fun on a neighbour’s trampoline ended suddenly when three-year-old Remy crashed to the ground. His parents rushed him to the emergency department.

“He was in a lot of pain,” said his dad Cameron. “I was surprised to hear how bad it was. Remy fractured his arm and was in a cast for a month.”

Dr. Erik Swartz, Head of Pediatrics at VCH, said, “In Richmond Hospital we see a peak in trampoline injuries between April and September. I see a lot of concussions and broken arms, but more serious injuries definitely do occur.”

Help spread the word about trampoline tips & you could win!

You could win one of 3 Fitbit Flex 2 (yes, health authority staff are eligible)! Contest details are on the VCH website.

Evidence-based safety tips

• Only one person should be on the trampoline at a time
• Closely supervise all children
• Don’t jump onto or off a trampoline.
• Have a safety net & keep the door closed
• Reduce risk of neck or spine injuries by limiting flips or somersaultsThe most common injuries are fractures, with the ankles, elbows and head being the most commonly injured parts.
  Spine injuries can occur during falls, but more often happen when someone  somersaults or flips.
  The most common injuries involve jumping or falling off the trampoline. The majority of injuries (80%) occur when two or more children are on the trampoline at the same time.
  If you have clients or patients who use a trampoline please help keep them safe with these tips.

For more info and contest details visit www.vch.ca/about-us/news/trampoline-safety.