Flying Bounce Houses and Dangerous Rides: How You Can Protect Your Children

            Recently, several frightening accidents involving inflatable “bounce houses” have called attention to the dangers that lurk in some children’s entertainment equipment.  On May 13, 2014, an inflatable bounce house manufactured by Little Tikes was set up as a backyard activity for kids.  The bounce house was being used by several children when it suddenly blew 100 feet into the air.  Luckily, all three children fell out of the bounce house before it soared that high into the sky.

            Two boys, ages five and six, fell out of the structure as it was taking off, at a height of about 20 feet.  One of the boys landed on a parked car after being tossed by the bounce house and the other landed on asphalt.  Both children suffered serious injuries and were rushed to the Albany Medical Center Hospital.  A girl inside the bounce house also fell and suffered minor scrapes.

            Weeks after this alarming incident, another bounce house accident injured at least two children.  In Jefferson County, Colorado, a bounce house with an inflatable slide was set up as part of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Jamboree.  The bounce house suddenly came free and began to roll across the field.  Parents and students ran to avoid being struck by the runaway inflatable.  A girl that was going down the slide at the time of its take off flew some eight feet into the air.  A boy was still trapped inside as the slide blew between 200 and 300 feet.  He was injured in the accident but not severely.

            The Colorado inflatable slide was operated by a company called Airbound.  Airbound has stated the slide was staked down and proper precautions taken.  In the case of the first bounce house, manufactured by Little Tikes, it does appear the house was staked down but it is unclear what sort of instructions accompanied the inflatable.

            Parents are cautioned to follow the steps below before allowing their child to use an inflatable either at home or set up by an event company:

  • Check to see that the ride has been securely anchored.  All bounce houses must be well staked into the ground and properly tied.
  • Observe whether the operator is strictly limiting the number of people on the ride at one time.  Each ride has safety limits that must be observed.
  • Look at the inflation of the ride itself.  Does it appear overloaded or unstable?
  • Check the blower inflating the ride.  Is it properly connected? If it becomes unplugged, the ride could collapse and possibly injure riders.

            If your child has been injured in an inflatable bounce house or any other sort of children’s ride, he or she may be able to seek compensation for injuries sustained in a personal injury or defective products suit.  Bounce house accidents are generally caused by one of two scenarios: operator negligence or product malfunction.  In the event of any accident, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can investigate the incident and determine potential avenues for recovery.        

Giddens Law Firm, P.A.: Protecting Mississippi’s Precious Children

            The Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Giddens Law Firm, P.A. urge anyone whose child has been injured in a bounce house or other piece of child entertainment equipment to contact us for assistance.  Our experienced personal injury attorneys will your child’s accident and determine whether it was caused by the negligence of another.  We will then guide you through the legal process to a full recovery.  Our case reviews are always free and confidential.  Call us today at (601) 355-2022 to see how one of our skilled personal injury attorneys can help you.