Even light wind can can be deadly for anyone in a bounce house

You May Want to deflate that Bounce house. Here’s why.

This photo is from Australia, where a bounce house was sent soaring into the sky.
Alexa Martins
Posted

Who doesn’t love a bounce house? Turns out the answer to that may be everyone.

A new study reports that bouncy houses, a mainstay at birthday parties, town fairs, and backyard events, are responsible for 28 deaths, and 479 injuries that occurred during 132 wind-related bounce incidents. 

The research studied wind-related bounce house events and tracked when weather impacted the safety of the bounce houses. The results are daunting.

This study tracked bounce house deaths and injuries and concluded that even in nonsevere wind conditions, the bounce houses can fly away or roll over, causing death and injury.

The lead author of the study at the University of Georgia John Knox said data proves bounce houses are safe for anyone, especially children.

“The bottom line is: Bounce houses can do tip over, roll over, or get lofted in the air in nonsevere winds, and it often happens during what most people would call ‘good weather,’” he noted.

The study says all kinds of wind events, including surprise thunderstorms, pinning dust storms as they occur commonly in the Southwest, cold fronts, and bursts of wind that are not severe, caused the bounce houses they tracked to roll over or fly away.

Bounce houses, the study reports, also blew away in incidents studies and struck bystanders, who were injured.

Knox’s experts related details in a 2019 bounce house incident. Six children were killed and three others were injured after a wind gust sent the bounce up over 30 feet into the air.

Another problem with bounce houses, as most parents know, is that a child (or anyone) can fall and injure or break arms or legs, among other issues. 

Based on this data, it seems like it's time to deflate that bounce house and find some new down-to-earth fun for the kids.

Experts say that if you hire specialists to anchor your bounce house into the ground, it may be safe. 

To read the full study, click here.