Beware of the bounce house! A new report, published online today
in the scientific journal Pediatrics, says inflatable bounce
houses can be dangerous. In recent years, the number of injuries
from bouncing has skyrocketed. The report says that children
should use extreme caution when playing on these devices. From
Bounce to Ouch Over the past 15 years, the popularity of bounce
houses at birthday parties, fairs and other events has grown.
Unfortunately, so has the number of children who suffer injuries
while playing in bounce houses. In 1995, fewer than 1,000
children visited the emergency room for bounce house accidents.
In 2010 there were nearly 11,000 accidents. The study reports
that each day in the United States, 30 children are treated in
emergency rooms for sprains, cuts, concussions and broken bones
from jumping on the inflatable devices. These reported injuries
all occurred with children aged 17 and younger. More than a
third of the injuries were with children younger than 5. “I was
surprised by the nu