As a parent of a 9-year-old boy (and a 27 year daughter), I have seen my share of bounce houses at kids' birthday parties. I agree that they can be a lot of fun, but they can also be very dangerous. If you are going to have one of these at your child's birthday party, you better confirm that you have homeowner's insurance.
Injuries can occur in bounce houses because of too many kids in there at the same time, age variance of the kids inside, and . . . the bounce house being lifted into the sky with kids in it! Yes, that does happen.
This weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, three children were injured when the inflatable bounce house they were in lifted into the sky and sending it flying above palm trees, across a parking lot and over four lanes of traffic – as kids were falling out of it in the process.
Injuries in bounce houses are not uncommon. According to CNN, two boys from upstate New York were seriously injured last year after falling nearly two stories when a gust of wind swept up the house in which they were playing. In New Hampshire, a gust of wind swept a bounce house over a 10-foot fence at with the two boys trapped inside.
A study by Dr. Gary Smith of the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, found that the number of bounce house-related injuries rose 1,500% from 1995 to 2010. In 2010, 31 children were treated in emergency departments each day on average, according to the report. "That's about one child every 45 minutes," Smith, who is the director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, said at the time.
Ideally, the bounce houses are to be staked to the ground with 18 inch stakes at a 45 degree angle to prevent disengagement. Also, if winds are blowing at 10-15 mph or if the top of the trees are swaying, the bounce house should be deflated.
Sorry, son, there will never be a bounce house in our front or back yard. Parents, if a child is injured at your child's party, they have a right to make a claim against your homeowners' insurance policy so beware!
_________
Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes represents those injured in car accidents, motorcycle crashes, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents and other types of personal injury matters. His Clearwater law firm – Perenich Caulfield Avril Noyes – is one of the oldest personal injury law firms in Pinellas County. Call Attorney Matthew Noyes now at 727-796-8282 or simply click here to schedule a free case consultation.