Policy Statement for children's electrical "Bounce Houses"

April 5, 2004

Mechanical and Electrical Hazards Division
Consumer Product Safety Bureau

Policy Statement

This memo has been prepared to communicate safety recommendations for children's electrical "Bounce Houses". Outlined below are a number of safety requirements for these products.

Background

The "Bounce House"- type product is a small-scale, home version of similar inflatable bounce activity structures that are found at amusement parks and fairs. The small-scale "Bounce House"- type product consists of an air mattress-like floor with an inflatable frame that supports mesh walls. The product uses an electric blower to keep the floors and frame inflated. The mesh walls are designed to keep the children who are bouncing inside the structure from falling off the inflatable floor. A roof may also be included on some versions.

An example of this product is shown below:

Current Legislation

Should the bounce house be fitted with a roof enclosing the play area, the product would then be considered a tent and would have to meet the necessary flammability and labelling standards of such a product.

Recommendations

Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety Bureau proposes that "Bounce House"- type products be equipped with the following safety features:

• a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI);
  
  
• an electric motor that meets the requirements of UL 507, Standard for Safety for Electric Fans, or another appropriate electrical standard;
  
  
• a protected power cord that is at least 8 m (25 feet) in length [N.B . This supercedes the length restriction of 7.6 m (24.93 feet) specified in the UL 507 (as well as, the length restriction specified in any other appropriate electrical standard) because a short cord length may lead to the use of extension cords,which can be hazardous if used during wet outdoors conditions .];
  
  
• the following or equivalent bilingual warning on the fan motor or on the electrical cord for the fan: " WARNING - Electrocution Hazard - DO NOT USE EXTENSION CORDS WITH THIS PRODUCT"
  "AVIS - Danger d'électrocution - NE PAS UTILISER DE CORDE D'EXTENSION AVEC CE PRODUIT";
  
  
• an effective mechanism for anchoring the product to the ground in order to prevent it from moving or turning over during use or due to other factors such as wind gusts;
  
  
• a warning which cautions of sudden gusts of wind that may lift the product off the ground and indicates that the product must be effectively secured to the ground.

Additionally, Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety Bureau proposes that "Bounce House"- type products include instructional material and warnings detailing the safe use of the product and that the instructions specifically address the following safety concerns:

• appropriate age;
• multiple users;
• adult supervision; and
• safe set-up locations (i.e., clearances from other objects, structures or hazards).

Furthermore, as with any electrical product for 120V use, these products will have to comply with all pertinent provincial electrical codes.

Finally, the mesh density of the "Bounce House"- type product walls must not permit finger entrapment.

Mike Wigfield
Project Officer