Bad Bounce

Important Safety Tips for Parents and Kids Looking Forward to Summer Bounce House Fun

With summer on the horizon, many kids are counting down the days till they can swap out their schoolhouse for the “bounce house”. A jumper’s paradise, these Inflatable temporary structures have become a common feature of back yards, amusement parks and block parties alike.

But expert advice from Loyola University in Chicago cautions that when kids of all ages, shapes and sizes cram into small spaces and hurl themselves towards the heavens, the result may be something other than fun and games. The risk for collision is real, with the result frequently being an injury to the upper extremities, such as elbows. But accidents can be largely avoided if children are separated into age and size-appropriate groups — the number of kids bouncing at once is limited to a safe number, and kids are instructed to take turns. Adult supervision is also critical…an adult present and alert ups the likelihood that when incidents occur children can be examined right away.