| A recent survey has
indicated that in one year more than 3,000 accidents resulting
in injuries to children occurred from the use of inflatable
bouncy castles within the UK. Many of the injuries were serious,
including broken bones and severe lacerations. The scale of
the problem has not gone unnoticed by Hospital Casualty Departments
and the Health and Safety Executive, who have published detailed
guidelines to manufacturers and operators of such equipment.
The
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA)
have also issued guidelines for users.
Most of the injuries are caused by children bouncing
off the inflatable onto the ground, being hit by other children
or just falling awkwardly. Many of these accidents could be
avoided by effective adult supervision.
These notes are intended to give some guidance to those proposing
to hire inflatable bouncy castles as part of a fund-raising
event, a fete or a private function such as a birthday party.
The equipment should be hired from reputable
hire companies, and wherever possible set up, operated
and supervised by the hire company's own staff. This is particularly
important if substantial numbers of children are likely to
be present.
Before hiring a bouncy castle,
ensure that the hire company:-
1. Fully complies with the Health and Safety Executive Guidance
Note
PM76-'The Safe Operation of Inflatable Bouncing Devices' .
(this important guide deals with all aspects of safety)
2.Employs suitably experienced and trained adult personnel,
where the company are responsible
for setting up, operation and supervision of the bouncy castle.
3. Provides written evidence of a current public
liability insurance policy with a limit of indemnity
of at least £2 million. This insurance is to cover the
liability of the hire company. It is unlikely to extend to
cover the hirer of the equipment.
If you are to operate the bouncy castle, in addition to Items
1 and 3 above, ensure that you are provided with written instructions
about the safe setting up, operation and supervision of the
equipment, and that the name and address of the manufacturer
or supplier is clearly marked upon it. Beware of
cheap inflatables, from catelogues etc, these are not sutible
for parties etc.
The safety instructions should include the following points:-
- Children should not be allowed to use the bouncy castle
if there is a high wind or in wet
weather (inflatables can flip over, and slippery surfaces
may cause injury).
- The castle must be adequately secured to the ground.
- Soft matting covering hard surfaces must be placed adjacent
to the front or open sides.
- There should be responsible adult supervision, paying
close attention to the children at play
at all times during its use.
- The number of children using the bouncy castle must be
limited to the number recommended
in the hire company's safety instructions. There must be
no overcrowding.
- A rota system for different age or size groups should
be operated, together with the
observance of any age limit of users. (It is suggested that
children over 10 years of age
should not use the equipment).
- All children must be made to remove footwear, hard or
sharp objects such as jewelry,
buckles, pens and other similar pocket contents. Eating
while bouncing or performing
acrobatics must not be allowed.
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