Bouncy houses are summer staples. Unfortunately, they can also be breeding grounds for staph infections, which a 10-year-old boy acquired after playing in a bouncy house for a graduation party.
Brenda Sanderson recounted how she noticed that her son had marks on his body two days after the party. When she asked him about it, he said it might've just been a burn he got from sliding around the bouncy house. Sanderson then proceeded to put on some antibiotic ointment on the mark, not thinking further of it. However, the mark did not get better, growing even bigger and spreading.
"It was oozing and when it was oozing it spreads. He said they were hurt to touch," said Sanderson.
This prompted her to bring the boy to the doctor, bringing the physician up to speed with her son's recent activities. This is where the bouncy house party was brought up, a fact that made the doctor confirm that the 10-year-old has a staph infection.
Staph infections are caused by the staphylococcus bacteria, a type of germ that is found commonly in the nose or on the skin. Most of the time, the bacteria doesn't cause problems but can lead to minor skin infections, much like what Sanderson's son had. Still, staphylococcus bacteria can be a deadly threat when it enters the body.
According to FOX25, the bouncy house that Sanderson's son had played in was a rental. It's typical for states to inspect bouncy houses but authorities are more interested in ensuring safety than cleanliness. Ed Kawa, Massachusetts Department of Public Safety division chief, said owners are supposed to adhere to manufacturer requirements when it comes to caring and maintaining bouncy houses. Manufacturer instructions may vary but the general requirement is to wipe down bouncy houses with mild cleaners that also sanitize and to give them a good vacuum.
Aside from staph infections, other risks accompanying bouncy houses include cuts, broken bones, concussions and neck fractures. Anyone who gets an open cut after using a bouncy house should immediately clean their wound to reduce chances of acquiring a significant infection.
Photo: Peter Galvin | Flickr
