Rise in trampoline park popularity brings risks

Trampoline parks are popping up all over the country, even here in El Paso.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission released that more than 83,000 people were injured on trampolines in 2013, with close to 95,000 the previous year. The commission also reports from 2000 to 2009, 22 people were killed while using them.

In the last five years, hundreds of trampoline parks have popped up across the country, raising concerns for parents everywhere. One of them is in east El Paso, Rockin’ Jump.

Trampolines can be a lot of fun if used correctly. But when done carelessly or improperly, jumping on a trampoline can cause serious injury.

ABC-7 contacted Rockin’ Jump in El Paso to find out more about the safety measures they use for visitors. They referred us to their corporate offices which didn’t respond to requests for comment. But their own safety videos posted online show the serious problems that can come from misusing trampolines. They use examples of what not to do in order to stay safe.

El Paso fire paramedic Martin Dominguez has responded to multiple trampoline injuries, where things can go very wrong very fast.

“I’ve actually responded to a few trampoline incidents,” Dominguez said. “And they range anything from minor type of accidents, minor type of injuries like soft tissue injuries, scrapes, scratches, that type of thing, bump on the head. And it can also range to actual fractures, you know, or even worse.”

El Paso Fire Department records show it responded to at least 21 trampoline-related injuries over the last year. EPFD doesn’t track trampoline injuries specifically, so there could very well be more than that as well.

Of the 21 injuries, records indicate four involved the ankle, nine were of the neck and back, three were of the knee, three head lacerations, and two arm/elbow injuries.