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Alberta Trampoline Injuries Surge: ER Visits Skyrocket
27 Jul
Summary
- Over 12,000 ER visits for trampoline injuries in Alberta since 2021.
- Fractures, sprains, and head wounds are common injuries.
- Younger children face higher risks when jumping with older kids.
In Alberta, trampoline-related incidents have resulted in more than 12,000 emergency and urgent care visits since 2021. The majority of these incidents involved children and teenagers. Last year alone, 2,307 visits were recorded, with 2,048 impacting youth. Throughout the first four months of 2026, 416 visits occurred.
Common injuries include fractures, sprains, dislocations, and head wounds. Physicians note that severe incidents like skull fractures or spinal cord injuries, though infrequent, can have catastrophic outcomes. Younger children are particularly vulnerable, especially when bouncing with older or more experienced individuals. The risk escalates with multiple jumpers, flips, and unsupervised activity.
Safety recommendations include installing protective nets around trampolines and ensuring only one person jumps at a time. Adult supervision is crucial for preventing accidents. While backyard trampolines pose risks, indoor trampoline parks also contribute to ER visits year-round, with those injured at parks facing higher hospital admission rates.
