Jumping around in an inflatable bounce house is a super fun activity for children of all ages. However, the merriment can quickly be ruined by an injury if proper safety precautions aren’t taken when setting up and using the bounce house. Whether you purchase your own backyard bounce house or your family attends an event that has one, here’s what our Bucks County child injury attorney suggests doing to keep your children safe:
- Beware of deflation – Although it may not seem like it, bounce houses are actually quite heavy – a small bounce house weighs about 50 pounds. In turn, if a bounce house deflates with children inside of it, it can easily cause harm. To keep your bounce house from collapsing on your kids, be sure to read up on how the inflator works so that you can act fast in the event of a deflation situation. And if you’re using a gas-powered inflator, keep an eye on the gas level so that it never gets too close to empty.
- Have children remove jewelry, glasses, and shoes before entering the inflatable house – These items have the potential to puncture the bounce house or hurt another child, so our child injury lawyer in Bucks County recommends that kids leave them outside of the structure.
- Know that bounce houses and wind don’t mix – Believe it or not, there have been several instances of bounce houses taking flight with kids inside due to strong winds. To avoid this dangerous scenario, never allow your children to enter an inflatable house when wind speeds are greater than what the structure is made to withstand (most are approved for wind speeds of up to 13-17 MPH). And for protection against sudden gusts, make sure that the bounce house is secured with heavy-duty metal stakes.
- Do your research on commercial bounce houses – Before letting your kids jump in a bounce house at an event, consider asking the operators for proof that they are certified to run and inspect the ride. To be extra safe, you may also want to look up the ride company and make sure it has liability insurance in case of an accident.
- Supervise your children at all times – If ride operators are running the bounce house, don’t trust them to watch your kids for you – stick around to make sure no pushing, shoving, or other dangerous acts of horseplay occur inside of the bounce house while your children are using it.
As long as these safety rules are followed, bounce houses are a great way for kids to get out some energy and have a good time.
Trust the Heslin Law Firm for Child Injury Advice
Has your child been injured in a bounce house or on some other type of ride due to someone else’s negligence? Call the Heslin Law Firm at (215) 332-0300. As the child injury lawyer Bucks County families have depended on for more than 30 years, we will provide you with expert legal advice and, if it comes to it, help you argue your case in court. With us on your side, you’ll have the best possible chance of getting the maximum amount of compensation for your child’s injuries.
Looking for more tips on keeping your kids safe? Be sure to read our post on playground accident prevention strategies. We look forward to showing you what makes us a qualified child injury attorney in Bucks County in the event that you require our services.