Most parents dont think twice about letting their kids hop inside a bounce house
Go to any carnival or outdoor festival and youre likely to see a bounce house. Big and colorful, they attract kids like nothing else. But are they safe? Most parents dont think twice about letting their kids hop inside a bounce house. After all, how harmful can air be? As it turns out, bounce houses are more dangerous than you might think ?and research shows that injuries caused by bounce houses are on the rise in a big way.
Pediatric ER Doctor Says Bounce House Injuries Are Skyrocketing
According to a CNN report, a pediatric emergency room physician saw so many bounce house injuries in the ER he decided to look at the statistics to see how widespread the problem really is. Dr. Gary Smith of Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus, Ohio found that bounce house related injuries rose an astonishing 1,500% between 1995 and 2010. Thats thousand, not hundred. Furthermore, bounce house injuries doubled between 2008 and 2010.
While most bounce house injuries involve concussions and broken bones, research also shows that children are at risk of heat exhaustion and other heat-related injuries inside a bounce house. A University of Georgia study shows that temperatures inside a bounce house can be as high as seven degrees hotter than outside air temperatures. Because kids are more sensitive to heat than adults, children are at a much higher risk of heat-related illnesses when they spend extended amounts of time in a bounce house.
Tips to Keep Your Child Safe in a Bounce House
As any parent knows, you cant keep your child encased in protective bubble wrap (as much as you might want to). Part of being a good parent means allowing your child to explore and go on adventures. Its a delicate balance between keeping your child out of harms way and letting them enjoy life. However, there are several things you can do to decrease your childs risk of suffering a serious personal injury. If youre going to let your child play in a bounce house, Dr. Smith recommends the following safety tips:
- Children under age six should not play inside bounce houses. Use your judgment when it comes to children with developmental delays.
- Never leave a child alone in a bounce house. Parents should always stay within sight, so they can keep an eye on their child.
- Although its best to have just one child bouncing at a time, Dr. Smith admits that this is unrealistic, as kids will naturally want to play together. Instead, restrict kids to bouncing with children of similar sizes or ages to minimize the risk of injury.
Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer Discusses Summer Safety
Philadelphia personal injury lawyer Joel J. Kofsky states, Summer is a time for kids to get outside and explore. Bounce houses are a huge hit with young kids, and parents can let their children enjoy them, but its important to make safety a top priority. You know your child best. Always stay nearby and monitor your child any time he or she is playing inside a bounce house. If your child has been injured in a bounce house or at a fair or carnival, help is available. Protect your rights by getting in touch with a Philadelphia personal injury attorney as soon as possible.