Nationwide Study Shows Inflatable Bounce Houses Cause Injuries
My daughter still loves to get into an inflatable bounce house and she is a teenager. However, it was not too many years ago that I would watch her in one of these houses and cringe each time she would fall or another child would fall on top of her. It is not just the inflatable bouncing houses that are popular with kids – – now there are entire inflatable playgrounds where children can climb, bounce and slide for hours. However, what are the dangers posed by these inflatables?
A new nationwide study found that up to 30 children each day are treated in emergency rooms for injuries ranging from sprains and cuts to broken bones and concussions resulting from bounce house accidents. The rate of injuries from bounce houses has increased from less than a thousand injuries in 1995 to almost 11,000 in 2010. Part of the problem is that these bounce houses and other inflatables are not just operated by licensed facilities but are available for rent by anyone.
If you intend to rent a bounce house or other inflatable, or, if you are taking your child to play on an inflatable, there are precautions you can take to protect your child from injury.
Children should remove all jewelry, including but not limited to, necklaces and dangling earrings
Make sure that there are no sharp objects on children’s clothing that could injure another child
Group children by age to avoid larger children landing on or injuring smaller children
In an average bounce house, the number of children should not exceed eight children (ages 2 to 8); six children (ages 9 to 13); and, four children (ages 14 to 17). However, check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific numbers and weight limits.
Children should not wear eye glasses while playing in a bounce house or while playing on inflatables as these can break and cause serious injury
At least two adults should supervise the bounce house at all times
Do not play near the entrance or exit as riders could tumble out causing injury to both the rider and the child playing near the entrance/exit
Children should not wrestle or pile on top of each other in the bouncing house or on the inflatable as this could result in suffocation, broken bones and other injuries
No drinks or food – – this may create a slippery surface that is unsafe
The best way to prevent injuries from bounce houses and inflatables is constant adult supervision. Adults should limit the time children are allowed to play inside the bounce house and watch for children who are getting tired and falling more often as they could be kicked more often because they are just too tired to get up. You can find other tips and safety procedures for bounce houses by reading the information available from the Child Injury Prevention Alliance.
