Hazard House
About Hazard House
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Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) and Home Accident Prevention (HAP) have teamed up to demonstrate the dangers of smoking and smoking materials in the home with a live fire rescue demonstration in ‘Hazard House’. DVD clip to follow soon!
Hazard House – “Play it Safe this summer” with trampolines
As part of Child Safety Week 2007 Ballymoney Council's Home Safety Officer is reminding parents to ensure their children play safely on trampolines this summer, so that unnecessary accidents can be avoided.
Trampolines are the latest craze among children in the UK – the must-have toy for this summer. They have the bonus of being a form of healthy exercise as well as being great fun. Widely available from DIY stores and garden centres, they are reportedly the third most wanted gift for children aged five to 13. But as they literally spring up in gardens around the country, parents under pressure from their children to acquire one should stop and think before they rush off to the shops. Not all gardens will be suitable for a trampoline, and it’s always best to consider the safety implications before making an expensive purchase. The current boom in trampolining is almost certain to lead to an increase in accidents, but that does not mean that parents should not buy trampolines for their children. Play often leads to children being hurt – it is part of growing up. There are bound to be the odd bumps and bruises. Trampolining can be enjoyed safely if a few simple guidelines are followed and they are used with caution.
Safety Issues
In Northern Ireland every month approximately 20 children, experience serious fractures, head injuries and soft tissue injuries, from accidents on trampolines and have to attend the Royal Victoria’s Hospital, Sick Children’s Unit. Additional children with other less serious injuries are treated at their local Accident and Emergency Departments across the province, and many other trampoline accidents will go unreported.
The key safety issues are as follows:
- Injuries can occur to all parts of the body, including the neck, arms, legs face and head. Head and neck injuries are the most serious injuries associated with trampolines.
- Approximately 75% of injuries occur when more than one person is on the trampoline. The person weighing less is five times more likely to be injured.
- Children under six years old are particularly vulnerable to injury.
- Always supervise children and never allow more than one person on the trampoline at one time. Trampolines are not suitable for very young children or toddlers. Remind children that it is dangerous to crawl under the trampoline.
- Check the condition of your trampoline for wear and tear.
- Safety enclosures or nets will prevent accidental falls from the trampoline but parents need to be aware that other accidents can still occur particularly if children are doing flips, stunts and somersaults.
- Always use pads to cover springs and frame to prevent injuries.
- Use safely and bounce in the middle of the trampoline.
- Step on and off the trampoline – never jump.
- Ensure children have rest periods.
If you would like more information on Trampoline Safety or are interested in bringing a group along to Hazard House for a practical demonstration please contact the Home Safety Officer Tel. 028 2766 0257.
