Don’t Jump for Joy: The Dangers of Bounce Houses
They are a big hit at childhood parties, but moon bounces and bounce houses can be a dangerous place if children and parents are not careful.
Findings from a recent study, “Pediatric Inflatable Bouncer-Related Injuries in the United States,” published in the December issue of Pediatrics, examined injuries from inflatable bouncers over a 20-year period. From 1990 to 2010, more than 64,000 children were treated in emergency rooms for injuries sustained in bounce houses. The study went on to note that between 2008 and 2010, bounce-related injuries more than doubled, averaging out to 31 injuries every day.
Type and severity of injuries
Many of the injuries sustained include broken bones, sprains, concussions and cuts. The most common injuries were strains and sprains to the arms and legs. Many accidents occurred when children collided with one another inside the bounce house or when children fell out of the bouncers. Children 5 years and younger accounted for more than a 30 percent of the injuries.
Tips for keeping your child safe
As a parent, there are a few things you can do to help keep your child safe inside the moon bounce:
- Avoid using inflatable bouncers at your home. Bouncers should be supervised by trained operators.
- Do not allow your child to do flips or other tricks inside the bouncer.
- Don’t place your child in an overcrowded bouncer.
- Make sure your child bounces with other children of the same age and weight range.
Reviewed by: Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr., MD
Date: December 2012
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