How dangerous are bouncy castles?

Gorleston Beach

The death of a four-year-old girl who was reportedly thrown from
a bouncy castle after it exploded has prompted an MP to call for a
temporary ban on inflatables in public areas.

The child is believed to have been jumping on the blue
inflatable on a beach in Gorleston, Norfolk, when
it burst and sent her flying up to “30ft in the air”.

She suffered critical injuries when she landed on the sand and
is thought to have suffered a cardiac arrest, reports The Times.

A Norfolk Police spokesperson confirmed the death, saying:
“Officers were called to Lower Esplanade around 11.15am following
reports a child had been thrown from a bouncy castle.”

How did it happen?

Witnesses reported that the bouncy castle exploded as a result
of the heat as temperature soared.

Kenna Cracknell, who was at the beach with her family, wrote on Facebook: “Was at Gorleston beach on
the bouncy castle with my nephew and son to witness the bouncy
castle opposite me explode with a little girl being catapulted
around 30ft in the air and come straight back down on the
sand.”

Cracknell added: “Please can everyone share this post and make
everyone aware of how dangerous bouncy castles can be. I will never
let my son on one again.”

Are bouncy castles dangerous?

The latest death comes just two years after a seven-year-old
girl died when the bouncy castle she was on blew away because it
had not been properly secured. According to a judge at the trial of two
fairground workers charged over the tragedy, Summer Grant’s was
“entirely preventable”. Married couple William and Shelby
Thurston, aged 29 and 26, were each jailed for three years
after being found guilty of manslaughter by
negligence.

Youth organisation the Boys’ Brigade has cited statistics that
show approximately 10,000 injuries arise from bouncy castles each
year in the UK. According to the organisation: “Most of the
injuries are caused by children bouncing off the inflatable and
onto the ground, being hit by other children or just falling
awkwardly.”

What can be done about it?

Robert Haflon, the Conservative MP for Harlow, Essex, wants
the Government to consider a temporary ban on inflatables in public
areas.

He wrote on Twitter: “After two horrific tragedies,
government need to look at update of regulations and inspection
regime and consider a temporary ban on bouncy castles in public
areas until we can be sure that they are safe.”

The judge in the Summer Grant trial also called for greater
regulation of fairgrounds and said lawmakers must “take the steps
necessary to make it compulsory for fairground operators to have
proper wind speed measuring equipment”, reports The Independent.