There have been calls from some MPs to have a temporary ban on the use of inflatables in public areas following the recent tragedy of a three year old girl who lost her life when an inflatable trampoline exploded on a public beach in Norfolk. Whilst the official cause of the explosion is not yet known, the Health and Safety Executive are conducting an investigation into the incident.
Havant Borough Council in Hampshire have banned the use of such inflatables pending the outcome of the investigation and with two arrests having been made by police, there is growing pressure on other local authorities to follow suit. However, as tragic as this incident was, there is an opposing opinion that such a widespread ban would be a knee-jerk reaction.
Statistics suggest that there are approximately 10,000 accidents in the UK each year as a result of the use of inflatable bouncy castles. To ban all inflatables at public events across the country could be seen as disproportionate when there are hundreds of thousands who use the equipment safely and without incident each year. It would also penalise the safe operators who take safety seriously, taking precautions to minimise the risk of harm to their visitors.
The HSE offers free guidance to operators on the use of inflatables for both public and private events as well as some further guidance for fairgrounds. They state that inflatables should be inspected every year and conform to British safety standards. If you are hiring a bouncy castle for an event, whether for public or private use, then you should always ask to see the inspection record to ensure it is maintained well and safe to use. Issues with the inflatables can range from wear and tear, rips in the fabric or an incorrect level in the internal air pressure. The inflatables should only be erected and used in accordance with their operating instructions and by someone who is familiar with the equipment.
In addition, there are external factors which can impact the use of inflatables and heighten the risk of injury, for example high winds and adverse weather. The HSE guidance recommends that bouncy castles should not be used when the wind speed exceeds 24mph. Unfortunately, that advice has been ignored in the past with devastating consequences such as in April 2016, when a 7 year old girl from Essex died after the bouncy castle she was on broke free of its anchoring trapping her inside. There was a similar incident only two months later at Cupar Children’s Gala when the inflatable bouncy slide was caught up in high winds and threw many users and onlookers to the ground. Such serious incidents are in the minority but are often widely publicised.
Notwithstanding these important issues, the majority of injuries stemming from the use of inflatables still come down to human error and misuse. It is always important to look after the safety of you and your children and follow the rules set down by the ride operator. Following any operator rules, and the HSE’s guidance, should allow you to find a balance between having fun and staying safe this summer. However, if you are involved in an accident, you should report it immediately to the ride operator and event organiser and seek appropriate medical treatment. It can also be helpful to ask for the contact details for any witnesses along with taking some photographs showing the equipment used.
