Toys and Games – Reviews and News

Bouncy castles have been in the news recently after Sam Harris, now 13, of Spalding, Lincolnshire, suffered brain damage as a result of a skull fracture caused by a kick to the head sustained at a party. Does this mean that bouncy castles are unsafe?

The judge in this case found that the level of supervision of the children playing on the bouncy castle was inadequate. The parents responsible for hiring the inflatable were found to have been negligent and damages (likely to exceed £1m) were awarded to the injured boy.

Bouncy castles are not unsafe unless they are improperly installed, poorly supervised or faulty. Some of the known hazards that exist with bouncy castles include:

• Inadequate tethering resulting in the bouncy castle blowing away in windy conditions
• Leaks or faulty blowers causing a loss of pressure and deflation
• Children falling from the inflatable
• Trip hazards (mainly caused by the tethering lines)
• Overcrowding
• Small young children being jostled by older, bigger children

Bouncy castles are now common at children’s parties, particularly in the summer months, and many families are buying their own inflatable outdoor toys to encourage their little ones to get outside and engage in more active play, rather than watch too much T.V. Youngsters find them irresistible so what can a responsible parent or carer do to ensure their child’s safety? Here are some basic bouncy castle safety tips:

• Make certain that the bouncy castle is securely anchored to the ground and that the ground is level
• Make certain that there is either soft ground or impact absorbing mats next to the openings in the inflatable
• There should always be at least one person dedicated to supervising the children on the bouncy castle
• Ensure that the children are not overcrowded on the bouncy castle
• Never let older, bigger children play on the inflatable alongside little ones
• Always make certain that the children remove their shoes and any sharp items of clothing and jewellery including belts and watches
• The supervisor should ensure that the bouncy castle is not abused. Children should not be allowed to climb the walls, push and shove one another or perform acrobatics
• Drinks, sweets, ice cream and food shouldn’t be consumed on the inflatable

Bouncy Castles, and other forms of inflatable outdoor toys, are great fun and a fantastic way to encourage children to engage in active physical play.

Many people believe that, today, we are overly protective of our children, too scared to let them take even moderate risks. Over-protection can lead to children becoming overly dependent on their parents and this can impinge upon their physical and emotional development. A bouncy castle, or maybe a climbing frame, can provide a safe environment in which children can explore and develop their physical confidence.