Trampoline Recall: 13 Foot Skywalker Holdings Trampolines

Approximately 60,000 trampolines are being recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), due to defective straps that could break and cause the trampoline to collapse. The manufacturer, Skywalker Holdings, LLC, has received at least 250 reports of the trampoline straps failing.

The trampoline recall affects the Skywalker Holdings 13-foot Square Trampoline and Enclosure Combo, which was sold at major retailers, specialty stores and online from January 2007 through February 2009. The trampolines were manufactured in China.

The CPSC reports that the straps at the top of the enclosure, which are attached to the trampoline’s frame, can fail, causing the trampoline to fall and the enclosure to drop, potentially causing a personal injury to users.

The recalled trampolines have blue spring pads, a black net enclosure and “Skywalker Holdings” is printed on a label located under the jumping mat and on the enclosure net. Consumers have ben urged to immediately stop using the Skywalker trampolines and to contact the manufacturer at (866) 603-5867 to obtain a free repair kit.

Although there have been no reported injuries associated with the defective straps on the Skywalker trampolines, home trampolines are notoriously dangerous, especially for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that trampolines never be purchased for home use, and that parents should not to allow their children to play on trampolines at the homes of others. In addition, the American Medical Association has also urged parents not to allow children to play on trampolines.

A recent study by Rhode Island Hospital researchers found that an average of 88,563 children are taken to the emergency room every year for a trampoline injury, with virtually all of those injuries, 95%, happen on home trampolines. The study was presented at a 2007 American Academy of Pediatrics annual meeting and showed a significant increase in trampoline injuries from previous years.

Adults using trampolines are encouraged to read all material provided by a manufacturer, make sure shock-absorbing material is laid down under and around the trampoline, periodically check the trampoline for wear, and to never use the trampoline during hours of darkness. Users are also encouraged to do warm up exercises before using trampolines and not to dismount by jumping off.

Additionally, the CDC has reported that more than half of all trampoline injuries, adult or child, occurred when there were two or more people using a trampoline simultaneously.