Parental responsibility
Bounce houses have become a popular way to liven up backyard parties, and are regular attractions at carnivals, city parks, and block parties. In addition to kid gatherings of all kinds, a number of fast food chains and shopping malls now feature interactive inflatables as a customer convenience. On many occasions, child safety is left solely to the responsibility of the parent. Often parents are unaware that moonwalks, inflatable trampolines, and ball pits all require certain basic safeguards and precautions.
Most Common Injuries
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (C.P.S.C.) lists the following common causes of bounce house and other inflatable-related accidents.
- Collisions - These injuries often result when both larger and smaller children are jumping or sliding at the same time.
- Falls - Occur when entering or exiting an interactive inflatable device, or from jumping onto the ground or water outside the device.
- Trips and traps - Caused when foot or other appendage becomes caught in some part of the attraction while jumping.
- Flips and somersaults - Can cause head and neck injuries, and are especially common on trampolines and water trampolines.
- Wind gusts - Often overturn inadequately secured inflatables, causing injury to the children inside as well as nearby spectators.
- Rapid deflation - Due to loss of electric fan power, punctures, or failed seals, rapid deflation may create an uncushioned impact with the ground surface or other hard objects.
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Observing the following safety precautions will help prevent injury and ensure your child's safety.
- 1. Make sure children are within the size requirements.
- 2. Avoid an overcrowded bounce house or ball pit.
- 3. Never leave your child unattended.
- 4. Watch for fatigue and remove you child when they appear to be tired. A sitting child is at risk of collision with other children.
- 5. Obey all the bounce house safety rules. Trust your instincts and make sure your child is ready to join in.
- 6. Because in many states inflatables are not subject to safety regulations, the primary responsibility for a child's safety should always belong to the parents.
