- By Peter Msafiri
You may want think twice before you let your kid bounce on
an inflatable, according to a new report released exclusively to USA TODAY
Network from the Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC). Injuries related to
large inflatables like moon bounces and slides are on the rise, the federal
agency reports after reviewing data from 2003 to 2013. The CPSC estimates there
were more than 100,000 injuries associated with the use of inflatables treated
in emergency rooms from 2003 to 2013. During that time, the estimated total
number of injuries increased from roughly 5,000 in 2003 to more than 17,000 in
2013.
Parents and caregivers need to be aware that there can be
serious incidents in backyard and community events with inflatables, Patty
Davis, a spokeswoman for the CPSC, told USA TODAY Network. The study defines
"inflatable amusements" as air-filled structures with flexible fabric
kept inflated by continuous air flow by one or more blowers. The trend should be seen as a wake-up call
for parents. The primary goal of the report is to make parents aware of the
risks. Whenever you have something, whether it's a fixed slide or a flexible
slide, they have to be used with care, supervision and properly if not, there's
an increased chance of injury. However, Tanzanian parents should be aware on
the situation.