Media release: Trampolines not up to standard

Media release: Trampolines not up to standard

Only one trampoline has met critical safety checks in a test by Consumer NZ.

Five popular trampoline brands were tested, based on the Australian standard, which is more up-to-date than the Kiwi version.

Only the Springfree R54, a soft-edge trampoline with its frame and springs beneath the jumping mat, passed the impact tests. The tests assessed the risk of brain injury from a child's head colliding with the safety padding above the frame.

ACC statistics show 7600 people annually injure themselves on (or around) a trampoline. That's slightly more than the number of people who have a skateboard-related injury.

None of the traditional trampolines (those with the springs around the edge of the jumping mat) passed the impact tests. Two trampolines were also rated poor for bounce quality. These were the Parklands TC-1004S and the Gametime TR-10 Combo-L.

Sue Chetwin, Chief Executive of Consumer NZ, says: "Often the padding on the models we tested wasn't effective at cushioning a fall. Most showed permanent damage after only four collisions."

Chetwin says the poor results indicate the voluntary standard for trampolines isn't working: "It's too easy to ignore the safety requirements set out in the voluntary standard. A mandatory standard, one that covers safety nets and soft-edge trampolines, is required if we're serious about reducing the number of trampoline-related injuries."

For the full report visit: www.consumer.org.nz/reports/trampolines

ENDS

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