Warning Regarding Trampoline Construction Danger

It has been brought to our attention by a parent and the National Standards Authority of Ireland, that there is a potential safety risk with certain trampolines currently on sale in Ireland.

Trampolines are very much the "new craze" for children this Summer and therefore any possibility for potential risk must be addressed , investigated and eliminated - immediately.

Specifics of the problem, detailed by that parent, are as follows: (Photographs attached)

The Unit is a 13-foot model which is self assembly and can be easily put it together within an hour.

Older versions of trampolines provided for self tapping screws to hold the legs together on the main frame that forms the bouncing circle. There are no such screws or bolts holding the new one together.

The 13 ft trampoline in question was purchased during the first week of May and was used without incident for a couple of days by the children. On the following Saturday, at the Communion Day party of the son of the consumer, the children decided to have a football match and moved the trampoline.

When the trampoline was moved one half of one of the four legs became displaced and swung into the centre of the trampoline. No one noticed the problem.

A young 7 year old then got on the trampoline and started to bounce. The displaced leg came straight up through the bouncing mat. (see photographs attached).

This potential danger is unacceptable.

Dermott Jewell, Chief Executive of the CAI stated - "It is urgent therefore that parents be warned to check these units regularly or to affix screws personally through the leg assembly unit to render them immovable. Finally, it is imperative that the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, which has responsibility in this area of safety and which has been advised of the problem, immediately act to ensure that such unsafe products are removed from our market", he added.

Photgraphs are attached outlining the exact detail of the unit and the problem.