[Accidents caused by inflatable bouncers in 0-19 year-olds in Denmark in 1993]

The paper describes the epidemiology of accidents caused by inflatable bouncers. The estimated number of bouncers and bouncing castles in DK was 300-350 in 1993. The data were extracted from the Danish part of the EHLASS project ("the European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System). The project registers injuries in five Danish casualty wards, covering a total uptake area of 14.2% of the Danish population. In 1993, there were 91 injuries caused by inflatable bouncers, 37% of them in boys, and 63% in girls. Seventy-nine percent of the injuries were caused by falling, 19% by contact with an object or another person and 2% stress injuries. The type of injury were: bruises 42%, fractures 31%, distorsions 23%, and tendon/muscle strains 3%. The location of the fractures were: one in the spine, two in the clavicle, all other (25) were located in the limbs. Four patients had to be admitted for further observation or treatment. The average cost per injury was 839 dKr., or aprox 150 US$. It does not seem necessary to take special precautions or make restrictions in the use of this new playground article.