A NEW set of standards has been published to help reduce the number of injuries suffered at trampoline parks.

The International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) has launched the new standard to give parks some guidance on how to keep their customers safe.

The industry, which has seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years, is unregulated but the voluntary new rules will come into play in August.

Parks will then need to comply to the new standards to join the IATP.

Customers are being advised to look for the IATP sticker on the door of the park from then.

A number of accidents at trampoline parks have been highlighted in the national press with a specific focus placed on foam pits.

This is one of the areas specifically addressed in the new guidelines, with detailed advice as to recommended heights of jump towers and how to construct a pit to avoid contact with the floor.

Peter Brown, MD of FREEDOME and founding member of the UK subcommittee of the IATP, said: "Demand for trampoline parks has grown exponentially in a very short space of time, with trampoline park openings increasing by 3000 per cent since 2014.

"However, the safety standards had not caught up with this demand.

"I am very pleased that we have managed to get the BSI PAS 5000 out so quickly, creating something that will form the backbone of standards across the UK."

Here's what you should look out for at trampoline parks according to the IATP: 

  • A risk acknowledgement and disclaimer
  • Safety briefings from staff
  • 1:20 jumpers per court monitor
  • All activities must be staffed
  • Is the area where you get on and off the trampolines soft under foot?
  • Are the staff engaged in the activity of looking out for safety concerns?
  • Is the park clean and well maintained?
  • Is the park well lit?
  • Are there any jumps over 6ft high into foam pits or Air Bags?