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First Report on Inflatable Bouncer-Related Injuries
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Posted on: 11/30/1999
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This is the first published study on the number and type of injuries sustained by children using an inflatable bouncer. The bouncers are enclosed and seem safe, but accidents do occur.
Although some people purchase their own bouncer, most of these inflatable houses are rented for special functions. And as more and more children use these bouncers, the number of injuries is on an upward trend, The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports some, but not all, inflatable bouncer injuries. There are no safety regulations for the use of these devices and no requirements for reporting injuries.
In this study, the medical records were reviewed for all pediatric patients treated for inflatable-associated fractures. Forty-nine (49) children from age one to 15 years were included. Most of the children were between the ages of seven and nine.
Injuries occurred when children of different ages and sizes crashed into each other. Sometimes the force was enough to throw the child out of the bouncer. Smaller children fell out of the bouncer without colliding with someone else. Landing on a hard object caused a bone fracture or other soft tissue injury. Sometimes the inflatable device lost air and collapsed. The sudden loss of support caused injuries as well.
The most common injury was to the elbow. Other injuries to the upper arm, forearm, and wrist made up the bulk of problems. Leg injuries affecting the shin and thigh were the next most likely injury pattern. Slipping and getting the leg trapped in a twisted position was a typical pattern of leg injury. Boys were three times more likely to get hurt than girls.
The authors suggest (based on their findings) that there are ways to prevent these injuries. Adult supervision is important. Almost half of all bouncer-related injuries are attributed to a lack of adult observation and guidance. Too many children of all sizes, shapes, and ages are often in the inflatable device at the same time.
Experts recommend keeping children of similar ages and sizes in groups. Parents and other adults must be on hand to provide guidance and supervision at all times. Only small groups should be allowed inside at one time. Rough-housing and deliberate pushing or bumping into one another must be limited. The bouncer must be inflated to the recommended pounds per square inch at all times.
The authors hope the results of this study will increase public awareness of the dangers associated with inflatable bouncers. Previous warnings against the purchase of home trampolines applies to inflatable bouncers. Injuries are common and often preventable by following these guidelines and providing adult supervision.
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References:
Tigran Avoian, MD, et al. Inflatable Bouncer-Related Fractures in Children. In Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. September 2008. Vol. 28. No. 6. Pp. 656-659.
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