Trampoline sales in Australia are around 120,000 and with this boom in business has come the inevitable increase in trampoline accidents. Fair Trading Minister, Virginia Judge, has ordered a safety review of all residential trampolines following concerns by child safety experts.
The Westmeads Children's Hospital have seen injuries almost double over the last 4 years from 86 in 2005 to 153 in 2008. These injuries out of the total of 16,000 in Australia as whole.
Whilst most of the injuries have arisen as a result of the jumper falling off the trampoline 29% relate to falls on the trampoline itself on areas such as the metal springs or steel frame.
In Australia a voluntary standard was introduced in 2003 which recommends padding around the metal frame. Fair Trading' investigations have however revealed the scary fact that padding currently being sold does not meet these standards.
The inquiry is seeking submissions from anyone with a vested interest in the safety of trampolines including Health Authorities, industry stakeholders, consumer groups, families and consumer protection authorities throughout Australia.
I know our friends at Springfree Trampoline in Australia will be making their feelings heard on the matter. One thing they can be very happy about is that Springfree Trampolines meet and exceed this standard.
What is even more incredible is that there is not even a voluntary standard in the UK.
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