The first thing that might come to mind when hosting or attending a party with a bouncy castle is “are bouncy castles safe?”
They are certainly a favourite with the children, but parents might be wary of them.
Still, it’s fun seeing the little ones bouncing around.
Putting fun aside, bouncy castles do expose your kids to a level of danger.
According to emergency room data, more than 40% of kids’ injuries result from these so it’s justified to be asking are bouncy castles safe.
As children enjoy laughing and jumping around, there are high chances of colliding.
Also, the more children are inside the higher chances for accidents to happen.
Are Bouncy Castles Safe?
According to a CNN report, bouncy castles’ risks have risen with the popularity of the inflatable.
The most exposed age group are children under the age of five.
While, the injuries that occur are mostly targeting the neck and head, or leg and arms.
Safety Tips To Prevent Bouncy Castle Accidents
Still, there are steps you can take to lower the chances of getting injured while in a bounce house.
Help kids have the time of their lives in safe conditions.
In the following section, we will address some easy actions you can take in this regard.
If your child does get injured while in a bouncy castle, depending on the specifics of the case you may take legal action.
Ensure Proper Supervision
Parents should keep a close eye on the bouncy castle at all times.
It is important to monitor what is happening inside as well, so if an incident occurs you may intervene immediately.
While some kids might find the close presence of an adult supervising them intimidating, do not worry about it too much.
They will quickly get used to you. Plus, you can crack a few jokes with them to melt the ice.
Have The Best Fun, But Whilst Following the Rules
To have fun in a safe environment it is important to have and respect a simple set of rules.
This helps prevent a lot of accidents.
To begin with, with some bouncy castles it is not recommended for kids under five to use a bouncy castle.
As we previously saw, they are the most at-risk age group for injuries.
Try to take this aspect into account when you are thinking about bringing an inflatable structure to a party.
Before setting up the bouncy castle, ensure the ground is firm as loose earth may cause instabilities and injuries.
If the bounce house has slides, ensure anchoring ropes are not old or damaged. Also check the wire rope weight capacity.
Before allowing children into the bouncer, check for any tears and ensure the anchor straps are in good condition.
Always draw the kids’ attention to entering and exiting the bouncy castle.
Before entering, they should take off all jewellery so they will not get caught in anything.
It is also not recommended to bounce with glasses.
Try to prevent overcrowding.
The fewer kids are bouncing around, the lower the chances of someone getting hurt.
Furthermore, children should not summersault or flip over in the bouncy castle as these may cause severe harm.
Also, make sure that there is enough distance between the jumpers.
Follow The Instructions To Ensure Bouncy Castle Safety
Read and follow all instructions carefully before setting up bounce house inflatables as well as big building blocks.
Even if a company sets it up and supervises all activities, parents should ensure it is safe for children to play inside.
When hiring a company to set up the bouncy castle, ensure it is insured.
Trained and experienced staff should be the ones to set and supervise children inside.
What To Do In Case Of Bouncy Castle Injuries
Though it is hard to tell when an injury might occur, it is advisable to be prepared. Here are a few simple steps you can take:
1. Have a First Aid Kit
Always have a first aid kit present, so you can immediately mend a wound.
Also, it would be great if an adult in the group has some first aid training.
2. Remove Injured Kids From The Bouncy Castle
If a child gets injured while playing, a parent should enter into the bouncer and take him out immediately.
However, before that, quickly analyse the nature and location of the injury to know how to proceed.
3. Assess the Injury
Once you take the child to a safe spot, check the severity of the damage to determine if the child needs medical attention.
In case of a minor injury, keep the child off the bouncy castle, tend to the wound, and monitor their condition.
If their state somehow worsens, seek medical attention. In case of a broken limb or severe pain, take the child to the nearest hospital.
Are Bouncy Castles Safe?
You don’t have to limit children from playing in a bouncy castle as long as you follow the right safety measures and guidelines to prevent injuries from occurring.
Last Updated on July 1, 2023 by Lucy Clarke