Bounce houses a party hit but kids' injuries soar

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CHICAGO (AP) -- A new study says injuries from the use of a kids' party attraction have skyrocketed along with the popularity of inflatable bounce houses.

The study in the journal Pediatrics suggests 30 U.S. children a day are treated in emergency rooms for various injuries from minor to broken bones and concussions. Most injuries involve children falling inside or out of the inflated playthings, or colliding with other bouncing kids. Bounce house injuries are similar to those linked with trampolines.

The number of children aged 17 and younger who got emergency-room treatment for bounce house injuries has climbed from fewer than 1,000 in 1995 to nearly 11,000 in 2010.

Several accidents occurred last year when bounce houses collapsed or were lifted by high winds.

Amusement parks and fairs have bounce houses, and they can be rented or purchased for home use.

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