Wicked winds caused quite a scare up in Niagara County Sunday afternoon. Authorities say strong winds picked up an inflatable at The Corn Maze along Niagara Falls Boulevard in Wheatfield.
The bounce pad traveled about 50 feet from its original spot, with six kids on top, while dragging a 76-year-old woman about 20 feet. Investigators say eight people in total were treated for minor injuries.
Niagara County Sheriff's Investors are calling it a freak accident. Just last year another inflatable went flying into power lines in Niagara Falls.
Mark Slater with ABC Hardware says this accidents are becoming common as more and more vendors rent and sell inflatable.
"It's not because the inflatable industry is not safe. You have more products in the market, so you're going to increase your potential for accidents," Slater said.
Between 2003 and 2013 there were more than 100,000 inflatable related injuries according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Slater said you can prevent these accidents by doing a few simple things.
1. Make sure the stakes to hold the inflatable down are driven straight in the ground and NOT at an angle.
2. An adult operator should ALWAYS be present
3. Shut down the inflatable when the wind starts to pick up.
