Inflatable “bounce houses” and other large-scale inflatable structures may seem like harmless fun for young children, but a number of recent accidents have illuminated the potential dangers inherent in the amusement attractions.
The most recent incident occurred on June 4th in Oceanside, NY, when three of the inflatable “bounce houses” were blown into the air by winds, injuring 13 people. However, this was not the first such incident this spring. According to Rideaccidents.com, a website that tracks amusement park accidents, at least 10 inflatables around the country have been toppled by wind or collapsed under too much weight in the past two months, injuring more than 40 people.
As a result of these injuries, it is likely that legislators will step in to provide regulation regarding the potentially dangerous devices. Until then, as a Chicago product liability attorney, I am concerned about the safety of the products' users. Most States have no guidelines to train operators of the devices and there is very little enforcement as to the weight capacity or anchoring requirements of the rides. While they may seem harmless, “bounce houses” are one of the most dangerous home amusement attractions available, and consumers should exercise caution.
