Attending any children’s birthday party increases the likelihood that a bounce house will be present. Serving as a magnet for children – and admittedly some kids at heart – these inflatable constructions are usually the highlight of any gathering.

However, not all is well within and outside the confines of bounce houses. Whether it is based in a neighborhood backyard or a business looking to draw families, injuries involving them are increasing at alarming levels due to collisions in the house and failures to properly tether the structure to the ground.

Popular, dangerous, and mostly unregulated attractions

Inflatable attractions overall have grown in popularity. However, the increased attention and subsequent business also come with fewer regulations regarding their use. Half of the states do not mandate permits, inspections, and insurance. Georgia is one of those states as it relates to any structure in the inflatable rental business.

With more customers renting bounce houses, accidents are on the rise. According to the latest data provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) based on an analysis of U.S. hospital records, bounce house injuries have jumped from 5,311 in 2003 to 17,377 in 2013. Stateline also provided even more troubling trends with approximately 20,700 injuries in 2020.

Even in the states with rules regarding bounce houses, businesses that advertise rentals have failed to secure permits in their respective states. Admittedly, inflatable attractions are not a top priority for state enforcement. Warnings are usually the outcome upon the discovery of an unregulated bounce house, not fines or other punitive measures. In some cases, regulating agencies simply don’t have the authority to take action.

Living in a state where inflatable structures are unregulated should motivate Georgia residents to look into the rental company, specifically their track record of safety and any possible injuries.