They’re fun, big and bouncy, but could they also be deadly?
Inflatable castles are often touted as the ultimate playtime infrastructure for children of all ages. They’re colourful, portable and cheap.
You can rent them, buy them or even find them at ‘inflatable parks’ across the country.
You may think there’s no harm in letting your kids play in them.
However, here are a few reasons why you should be careful about bouncy castles.
They may be more dangerous than you think.
The Dangers of Bouncy Castles
There have been many news reports about accidents and deaths surrounding bouncy castles.
With most of the victims unfortunately being kids.
A bouncy house was reported to have been swept away by a dust devil in China.
Something similar happened in Australia when a bouncy castle was carried away by a strong wind, killing four.
This highlights one of the dangers of bouncy castles.
If an inflatable structure isn’t properly anchored to the ground, a strong gust of wind can easily upend it from the earth.
Another thing to worry about is the structural integrity of bouncy castles.
Most commercial bouncy castles are made of strong PVC or nylon, but there are cheaper ones that are made from low-grade plastic.
These cheaper materials are often less durable and may puncture or break from the pressure of extended use.
Wear and tear, weathering and other environmental factors may also reduce the shelf life of a bouncy castle. Making it more prone to burst upon overcapacity. Sometimes
Finally, bouncy castles can cause injuries. Children have been known to bump into each other, accidentally jump out and even stampeded each other.
If say the bouncy castle were to deflate due to technical issues, kids would naturally rush to the exit points to save themselves.
Younger kids will usually be the first to be injured and stepped on when this happens.
There is also the risk of much serious injuries like broken bones or brain damage, so we urge you to take precautions.
Precautions You Should Take
Keep a Close Watch
If you have to watch your kids like a hawk, by all means do it.
Either to make sure your kids play safely and to make sure other kids don’t hurt them, even if on accident.
Kids get carried away when they have fun, so it’s best to keep them in life.
This is after all a matter of life and death. You don’t want your child to have an accident from other people’s mistakes.
No Kids Under Five
The most at-risk age group for bouncy castles is any children under the age of five.
As mentioned, they are more prone to accidents especially with bigger kids competing for space.
They may get elbowed, stepped on or pushed.
So, let your kids get a little older before letting them play in a giant inflatable structure with a dozen other kids.
Under fives are better suited to ball pits, slides and other low impact games.
Here are some kid-friendly places in KL that you might want to check out on your next family outing.
Safety Checks
You may not have much knowledge or authority to evaluate the safety of a bouncy castle or an inflatable park.
Not many of us are well-versed in risk assessment.
However, there are some ways that you can check to see if a bouncy castle is safe for your kids.
If you’re renting, make sure the company is insured.
Ensure the bouncy castle is made from strong, durable material and that it’s anchored securely to the ground.
You can talk to the manager or supervisor so you can go through the health and safety specs.
It helps to have other parents along so they don’t just brush you off.
Have A First Aid Kit Ready
Always have an emergency first aid at the ready.
Just in case an accident does occur, which you will need to tend to quickly.
If you’re lucky, a bouncy castle accident may just result in a scraped elbow or a cut lip.
You may need to have an ambulance on speed dial if something much more serious occurs.
Look Before You Leap
As much we may not want our kids playing in bouncy castles, they may oftentimes insist.
After all, there is a certain charm and temptation about bouncy castles; they’re like catnip to children.
But as scary and serious as some of the bouncy castle accidents I mentioned may be, they are rare.
Besides, most companies are invested in maintaining their safety protocols; lawsuits can be expensive.
That said the best thing you can do is to keep the precautions we highlighted in mind and hope for the best.
Hopefully, your child will come out the other end completely unscathed, with a positive new core memory in their possession.
A childhood moment they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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