Inflatable bounce houses, also known as bouncy castles, are very popular at outdoor festivals and events. They can also be rented for private parties and are often featured at birthday events at home. The companies that offer these rentals or who set up bouncy castles at events have a duty of care to make sure children stay safe.
Unfortunately, while colorful and fun, inflatable bounce houses do pose a hazard and there has been an increase in the number of Cooper City childhood injuries and U.S. injuries from these attractions.
Common Bouncy Castle Injuries in Cooper City
With so many children bouncing together in an enclosed space and with the castle itself providing uneven surfaces, injuries can occur, including:
- Bruising
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Collisions between children
- Falls
- Sprains and soft tissue injuries
- Injuries caused by malfunctioning or collapsing bouncy castles
There have been fatalities associated with this attraction, including a tragic incident in Australia, which claimed the lives of six children after a bouncy castle was lifted into the air by wind.
Preventing Childhood Injuries on Bouncy Castles
To keep children safe on inflatable bounce houses, there are several things parents and guardians can do:
- Only allow children to play on bouncy castles set up reputable companies.
- Ensure careful monitoring of children the entire time they are near bouncy castles.
- Reduce the risk of injuries by having children of a similar size and age in the bouncy castle at the same time. Lots of children of different sizes increases the risk of injury to smaller kids.
- Immediately report any sagging or unusual unevenness in a bouncy castle.
- Ensure bouncy castles are secured correctly to the ground.
- Limit the number of children in the bounce house. The fewer children are inside, the safer it is.
- Make sure children aren’t trying stunts like flips on the uneven surface inside.
- Make sure children remove shoes, jewellery, and any sharp items they may have in their pockets before they enter an inflatable bounce house.
- Have children stay away from exits, entrances, and walls of the inflatable bounce house, as these are where injuries are more likely.
- If you notice the bounce house losing air, have children safely exit and re-inflate before allowing play to continue.
- Treat bouncy castles like pools: occasionally have everyone exit and do a head count to make sure no one is in distress.
- Do not allow children to use bouncy castles in bad weather. Rain can make surfaces too slippery and high winds can lift or blow the structure away, even if it is properly secured.
What To Do If Your Child Is Injured
Even if you are careful to prevent injury, your child can still be hurt in a bouncy castle, especially if the structure is defective, incorrectly setup, or if the organizer is negligent in ensuring safety. If your child has been injured, Contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Cooper City childhood injury claims attorney. We may review the facts of your case, answer your questions, and help you understand whether you may have a claim.