Are Bounce Houses Safter Than Trampolines?
Parents are often in a quandary when planning entertainment for a children’s party. They want
youngsters to enjoy themselves while staying safe. Two of the most popular and frequently
requested amusements are a bounce house and trampoline. The next question becomes are
they safe and every parent must make their own decision.
Bounce House
Generally speaking, a bounce house is considered safer. A bounce house is supported entirely
by pressurized air and sets on the ground. Bounce houses are appropriate for youngsters age 6
to 12. Children younger than that don’t have the coordination or motor skills to keep
themselves upright.
The most common injuries reported from bounce house usage are fractures and muscle strains
to the arms, but primarily the legs. Head and neck injuries were next in prevalence. Boys were
more likely to be injured in a bounce house than girls, 53.9 percent compared to 46.1.
Over a 4-year period, more than 82,700 children were injured in a bounce house There have
also been about 30 bounce house-related deaths when a device was blown about by high winds
or was improperly anchored.
Trampoline
In comparison, a trampoline is supported by a metal frame and the jumping surface is elevated
above the ground. Children can be thrown off a trampoline onto the ground, into shrubbery, or
into nearby structures. A specially designed net or cage for a trampoline should always enclose
the equipment to prevent children from being throw off.
Children age 6 and under shouldn’t use a trampoline due to their lack of motor skills. Injuries
are due to colliding with another person, landing improperly, performing stunts, jumping or
falling off a trampoline, and falling on the device’s springs or framework.
Statistics show that the most often reported injuries were fractures – approximately 25.8
percent. Muscle strains came in second at 25.7 percent, and contusions accounted for 14.5
percent of injuries. An estimated 100,000 people are injured on trampolines each year, with
500 of those resulting in permanent neurological damage.