EL PASO, Texas -- They’re known as jumping balloons, bounce houses, moonwalks, and in El Paso, some refer to them as brinca-brincas, or jump-jump. The seemingly safe children entertainment could be a jumping danger, and if your child is hurt, you may find yourself footing the entire hospital bill.

A KFOX investigation revealed a long list of bounce house companies in the Sun City aren’t insured.

In February, 6-year-old Kaylah Luna was visiting an orthopedic surgeon for the fourth time in less than a year. She was there to have her hot pink leg cast removed.

“She's in pain most of the time,” said Luna’s mother, Cecilia Hernandez.

Hernandez said Luna has broken and/or fractured her ankle twice jumping on a trampoline, and two other times while jumping in a bounce house. Every accident has left her in crutches. The most recent one was in a bounce house.

“When she was getting in, one of the little boys jumped. So, when she got up she became unbalanced and fell on the crack of the balloon. Then the second time was at a birthday party. She was running, and one of the little boys was running in back of her and she fell, then he fell on top of her leg,” said Hernandez, who said she never thought the soft inflatable device could cause her daughter so much pain.

“I would think they're safe,” said Hernandez.

If not used correctly, bounce houses can be a real danger for children. Videos on the Internet show bounce houses tipping over with children inside when they’re not anchored to the ground. Video of an inflatable slide shows it deflating, and children falling several feet, while other children fall on top of them.

One of the biggest bounce house accidents in the U.S. happened in Washington in 2007. A 3-year-old boy died of head injuries after he and two adults bounced out. The men crushed him.

The problems usually start when there are too many children inside because sometimes the bounce house deflates. Even if it slightly deflates, a large crevice forms in the center and children end up piling on each other. Others could get caught in the netting.

“When I ask, ‘What happened?’ it's usually that there are several big kids in with a smaller child and they’re bounced out through the doorway, or no one is there to catch them as they're coming out,” said Dr. Jacob Heydemann, an orthopedic surgeon who usually treats the children more seriously hurt.

Heydemann said at least five to 10 of the children he sees a month are in his office because they were injured in a bounce house, and some of them require surgery.

“Most commonly it's broken arms, broken forearms and wrist areas. Less commonly it’s a leg fracture, thigh or leg bone fracture. It's very rare that it's anything short of that,” said Heydemann.

Joe Pazos has seen the dangers of bounce houses firsthand. He started his family business, Pazos Entertainment, 15 years ago.

“These are 18-inch stakes, and you at least need to put half (in),” said Pazos as he set up a bounce house and staked it down.

“None of these units should be left off, and not spiked in, especially here in El Paso. But some companies, I've heard, do do that. If the winds pickup, and it's not staked down, they can topple,” said Deanna Pazos.

“Everyone is under this false assumption that since it's an inflatable you can't hurt yourself, but you can,” said Pazos.

It wasn't until August 2008 that the state stepped in to regulate bounce houses. They are now considered amusement rides. Officials with the Texas Department of Insurance said this was done because of the growing popularity of the business, which began 15 years ago.

Rental companies are now required to have an annual inspection of each bounce house, and are supposed to file quarterly injury reports. The owner should also register with the Texas Department of Insurance and pay a $40 registration fee per bounce house. Most importantly, the company must carry insurance.

KFOX submitted the names of 58 bounce house companies in town, and according to TDI officials, only Pazos Entertainment was in compliance. It’s hard to know how many companies exist because there are so many, and sometimes individuals will rent bounce houses as a side business, and people know about them because of word-of-mouth.

“Most of the companies are going to take it and drop it off, and it's up to you to supervise the unit (and set it up). Our priority is whatever you rented from us, and we stay there the whole time,” said Deanna.

When it comes to standards, Texas doesn't have its own. Instead, it follows those set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Among the requirements, an employee must be at the door supervising at all times; the bounce house must have instructions for use on the inflatable; and there should be a sign at the door with a number where users can file complaints.

“I wish they'd go by what they say, and follow the rules,” said Hernandez, whose daughter has had to learn the dangers of bouncing around the hard way.

“She won't get into jumping balloons (bounce houses) anymore, unless it's empty. Then, she'll get in by herself,” said Hernandez.

The regulation of bounce houses is still fairly new and some companies may not be aware of it. TDI officials said they've sent letters to all bounce house companies, and will not give them a grace period to come in compliance.

TDI cannot enforce the rules directly. The only way officials know of an operating company is if someone makes them aware the company exists. Enforcement is done through the attorney general’s office and local law enforcement.