Take a kid to a party with a bounce house and chances are you won’t see them for long. Most kids are thrilled to jump and flip in these inflatables for hours. Bounce houses and other inflatables seem to be at every church picnic and child’s birthday party, providing endless entertainment for kids and even adults. However, injuries are on the rise and some of these injuries can be life-threatening.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated that more than 18,000 bounce house-related injuries were treated in hospital emergency departments in 2018, an average of about 49 injuries per day.
While there is a risk of inflatables flying away due to high winds, most injuries occur inside the bounce houses. Broken bones and head injuries are the most common. While most broken bones will eventually heal, a neck or spine fracture can be fatal or have lifelong consequences.
These inflatables aren’t going anywhere. However, following a few precautions can reduce the risk of injuries.
Using an inflatable as intended is the safest way. Make sure all straps are used properly and the inflatable is set up as intended. If there are straps that are not being used, ensure they are properly tied up so that children can’t get entangled in them. Ensure the bounce house is secured to the ground according to the manufacturer’s instructions to help prevent it from shifting or becoming unstable during use.
Large differences in children's size can increase the risk of bounce house injuries. Older kids can end up hurting younger kids by bouncing aggressively and knocking into them.
If the weather conditions are at all questionable, such as gusty winds or storms approaching, remove children from the inflatable.
Serious injuries have occurred from children falling off inflatables onto a hard floor.
There’s no substitute for close supervision. Older kids and even adults can get hurt in an inflatable.
Bounce houses can be a fun addition to any event, but safety should always come first. By following setup guidelines, watching the weather, and supervising children closely, you can help reduce the risk of injury and keep kids bouncing safely.