Nugent & Bryant Logo

“Bounce Houses” Lead to a Jump in Serious Injuries

Nugent & Bryant

“Bounce Houses” Lead to a Jump in Serious Injuries


At block parties, street festivals, fairs, barbecues, and almost any event where large numbers of kids are in attendance, the inflatable – or “bounce house” or “moonwalk” as some call it — has become as much of a staple as juice boxes and balloons. But, as recent stories in the news make clear, these sources of fun and laughter can also lead to serious injuries.


In the past few weeks alone, bounce houses which have become untethered from their moorings have led to injuries and at least one death of a child. On Memorial Day in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, three children were injured after a tornado launched the bounce house they were inside into the air. Weeks later, in China, a gust of wind sent a bounce house into the air, and a child inside fell out and later died.


4,000 ER Visits a Year


Sadly, these are not isolated incidents. Last year also saw multiple reports of similar accidents where inadequately secured inflatables were swept up in gusts of wind injuring children inside. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that more than 4,000 emergency room visits a year in the United States are linked to inflatables. A 2013 study published in the journal Pediatrics reported that the number of bounce house injuries among children nationwide increased fifteenfold from 1995 to 2010.


Reasons for Injuries


There are a number of factors that can lead to inflatable-related injuries, including:


  • Overcrowding
  • Adverse weather conditions
  • Lack of or inadequate adult supervision
  • Mixing of age groups (older or larger children, or adults, inside with small children)
  • Equipment problems, such as underinflation, rips or tears, or worn cables
  • Failure to properly secure the inflatable


Adding to the problem is the fact that in Connecticut, as in many other states, bounce houses or other inflatables leased for private residential use are not subject to regulation or inspection.


When injuries occur in bounce houses as a result of improper supervision or because the inflatable was improperly secured or otherwise set up in an inadequate manner, both the operator of the inflatable and the owner of the property on which the inflatable was set up could be responsible for damages. If the house itself was defective, the manufacturer could be held liable.


How You Can Keep Your Kids Safe


The Child Injury Prevention Alliance recommends that parents considering renting a bounce house or inflatable look for trained operators who hold insurance, avoid mixing age groups of jumpers, and not allow more children inside the bounce house than recommended. They suggest that only children over 6 be allowed on a bouncer and that, ideally, only one child should use it at a time.


Inflatables can be safe and provide kids with a lot of fun when set up and used properly. Parents should make sure that the appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent a fun day from taking a bad turn.


James “Jim” Nugent: Helping Connecticut Families Deal With Injuries to Children


If your child has been seriously injured or killed in a tragic incident, it is important that you speak with a Connecticut personal injury attorney who has experience dealing with the unique issues and challenges involved in handling child injury cases. There are time limits as to when such claims must be filed, so reach out to an attorney as soon after the incident as you can. Call us today at (203) 795-1111 for a free consultation.

By Nugent & Bryant 01 Mar, 2021
Plaintiffs counsel Jim Nugent secured a nearly $1.26 million settlement for a client injured on a two-car crash. Plaintiffs attorney Jim Nugent relied on
By Nugent & Bryant 15 Apr, 2016
As the weather warms up, people head outdoors to enjoy the sun and spend time with family. The summer is a season of concerts, festivals, and amusement parks.
By Nugent & Bryant 01 Apr, 2016
People turn to doctors and other health care providers when they are at their most vulnerable. When you are sick or injured, you have a right to expect skilled
By Nugent & Bryant 15 Mar, 2016
Nugent & Bryant congratulates attorney James "Jim" Nugent on receiving a 2016 AV® Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell*, the nation's leading peer review
By Nugent & Bryant 01 Mar, 2016
Connecticut is famous for many things: Ivy League universities, nutmegs, and a host of important and useful inventions (the helicopter, the artificial heart,
By Nugent & Bryant 15 Feb, 2016
If you have ever driven on the highway, chances are you have seen someone doing something completely ridiculous – not to mention dangerous – behind the wheel.
By Nugent & Bryant 01 Feb, 2016
Check the news and it's likely you will see at least one story about a road rage incident on the roads. Most recently, a motorcycle driver in Florida captured a
By Nugent & Bryant 15 Jan, 2016
From department stores and offices to schools and government buildings, modern life is often captured on surveillance video. Cameras are such an integral part
By Nugent & Bryant 07 Jan, 2016
By CHRISTIAN NOLAN | January 07, 2016 Jeremiah Lacoille v. Joseph Defeo, et al.: A man who suffered 13 bone fractured when his car was rear-ended as he and
By Nugent & Bryant 01 Jan, 2016
From left to right: Lenny Isaac, Herb Shook & Jim Nugent. At Nugent & Bryant, our mission is to help people. Although we are honored to represent each one of
More Posts
Share by:
Privacy Policy Cookie Policy