Fair enough, but the big difference that I see is the number of cases of trampoline injuries relative to other causes. Do you get A&E professionals saying they think cycling, hurling etc. should be banned? Don't think so.
Just did some Googling, and came across a study from Waterford Regional Hospital over three months (in 2005) which found:
<QUOTE/>
A total of forty-four patients were collected during the study period. The average patient-age was 8½ years (range 2½- 15¾ years). .....
Twenty-three children (52%) necessitated operative intervention. Of this twenty-three, 4 children required immediate surgery with the remaining 19 needing surgery the following day. Of the group requiring surgery, the average length of in-hospital stay was 1.3 days (range 1-4 days).
/END QUOTE>
The study conclusions are:
<QUOTE/>
Injuries related to the recreational use of trampolines are an important and significant cause of paediatric injury. To date, no consensus exists as to the regulation of recreational trampolines. These results strongly suggest that there is a clear need for guidelines in this regard.
/END QUOTE>
I'm not one for wrapping kids in cotton wool, and I think there are cases where H&S has gone a bit mad. However, I think in this case, you've got to ask yourself what is the substance behind the concern?