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Monday, June 8, 2015

Should There Be a Law Regulating Bounce Houses?

Bounce houses can be endless fun for children, but lately there have been deaths occurring while children were in the Bounce house.  Since the number of deaths have grown should there be stiffer regulations regarding Bouncy houses?

bouncy house rental


I have watched children playing in Bouncy houses. They really seem to enjoy it, but when I hear about high winds lifting a Bouncy House off the ground and a toddler dying as a result, I become quite alarmed. Children need to be in a safe environment. What can be done to keep them safe when playing?


Bounce House Created

According to en.wikipedia.org the first inflatable structure was designed in 1959 by Scurlock in Shreveport, Louisiana. It is further added that in 1986 his son expanded the rental concept throughout the United States to include the “Space Walk” and “Inflatable Zoo. “


Statistics
 
Did you know that Bounce houses injure a United States child every 46 minutes? That is according to CBSnews.com. They further add that Dr. Gary A. Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital stated, “The medical and public health community has yet to provide recommendations on the safe use of inflatable bouncers,”






Deaths

According to the Beasley Firm in 2006 two children were killed and 13 injured when the inflatable structure they were playing in was thrown into the air at Riverside Park. I have read of other recent injuries just this year. This is quite alarming. My grandchildren have played in Bounce Houses that were rented for their birthday parties, but I never knew of this danger. Apparently large gusts of winds have swept some of these inflatable houses into the air. The Beasley firm further adds that sometimes the renters are not adequately informed about the weather guidelines or there are defects in the inflatable bounce house itself.

Recent Injuries

One of the most recent injuries from a Bounce house occurred May 25, 2015, Monday, when 3 children were injured as a waterspout (a whirlwind occurring over the sea or body of water) lifted the bouncy house that they were in. This is according to CNN.com. I could not imagine the fear that was going through these children and their parent's mind.

Below is a list of regulations by State.  According to Michigan besides permits and licenses, there must be Annual and periodic inspections. There has still been the question should there be stiffer regulations and penalties regarding Bounce Houses? Is there more that can be done to keep our children safe? Should Bounce Houses only be allowed indoors in larger space environments? What are your thoughts on this?




Photo Caption: en.wikipedia.org, j. Smith, CC-BY-SA-3.0.


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14 comments:

Currently Kelsie said...

Interesting post- I've never though about deaths from a bouncy house. Thanks for sharing! #TwinklyTuesday

Unknown said...

that's really crazy - I had no idea there were so many instances of children being hurt in bouncy houses. I used to love them when I was a kid. I don't really think there should be a law for this, though. Things like this could be prevented if parents supervised their children more. I've observed so many parents leaving their kids in bouncy houses unattended for hours and I totally understand the feeling of wanting to relax or not have to be on the clock all the time, especially at a party, but if you think about how much of this could be prevented if parents checked up on their kids, maintained a safe environment using these bouncy houses, etc. I just think it's more the parents' responsibility to keep their kids safe than it is for the government to do that job. Also, why do we need to make every little thing a law ? It's just ridiculous to police everyday life that extent. Just my opinion - thanks for the thoughtful post!

anointedtoday said...

Storybook until I did research I had no idea either, but even with supervision there would be little a parent could do if the bouncy house is suddenly picked up and blown into the air by a large gust of wind.

anointedtoday said...

Kelsie it was surprising to me too. Thanks for stopping by anointedtoday.blogspot.com

Sadia said...

I've seen a bouncy house picked up by the wind, with children still inside. Fortunately, we were able to catch it and stabilize it. They should 100% be regulated. I still enourage my girls to use indoor ones at established bounce houses, with trained staff. Thanks for linking with #TwinklyTuesday.

Mummascribbles said...

Gosh how scary! I've never quite seen anything as epic here as a bouncy house - we have bouncy slides and castles but I haven't seen these. I am sure that not many people know the statistics you have written up there, It's so important that everyone is so careful with anything like this and all regulations are followed. Sad to hear there have been so many deaths. Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

Unknown said...

I think there should be better weights and ways to tie bounce houses down. Thank you for sharing your insights at Pin Worthy Wednesday!

Deborah Davis said...

Hi Betty,
Helfpul! Thought-provoking! Inspiring! Thank you.I am delighted that you shared your informative and valuable insights regarding the dangers of bounce houses and how to deal with this important issue on the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I'm pinning and sharing.

Holly @ Coordinator of Chaos said...

I agree with you fully. Something needs to be done to keep our kiddos safe. Thank you for sharing with us at Waiting on...Wednesday!

anointedtoday said...

Thanks Deborah.

anointedtoday said...

That is a good point Jocelyn.

anointedtoday said...

Thanks Holly.

anointedtoday said...

I was surprised to hear of the deaths too mummascribbles.

anointedtoday said...

I agree Sadia. Indoor bouncy houses are much better.