The Dangers of Bouncy Castles
Posted by Cottontimer on 08 May 2008 | Tagged as: Thoughts
Bouncy castles, those big inflatable trampoline-type play structures, are a staple of birthday parties. Last year, Stephen was invited to one that featured a bouncy castle that took up half of a small gymnasium and could fit 15 kids on it with room to spare. The party was made-up of children aged 2-5 and was utter chaos from beginning to end.
At any given moment, a child or more would be crying from having been jostled or bumped. One kid even started a “game” where she brought a handful of gummy candies onto the bouncy castle and threw it up in the air with every bounce. Needless to say, other kids soon had to have a try at throwing candy with a few others eating the candy that was thrown. Crazeee.
Personally, I would never host a party that included a bouncy castle (unless it’s at an indoor playground where you pay to get in). As an American, I’m all too aware of the risk of getting sued when children are likely to be injured. And that’s exactly what happened to two parents in the UK who rented a bouncy castle for their triplets’ party three years ago.
Sam Harris, now 13, of Spalding, Lincolnshire, suffered a broken skull when a 15-year-old boy kicked his head at the party in Strood, Kent, in 2005.
Mr Justice David Steel said Timothy and Catherine Perry, who hired the castle, had not provided enough supervision.
Damages, for which Mr and Mrs Perry are insured, are likely to exceed £1m.
The High Court had heard Sam sustained a “very serious and traumatic brain injury” and now needed round-the-clock supervision.
Accidents do happen.
Related Posts:
PSA: Taking Codeine While Breastfeeding...
Puddles, Puddles All Around...
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls...
Fun Without The Guilt...
Sunday Salon: Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon...
If your comment doesn't show up immediately, it's probably in moderation. I will approve it as soon as I can! Thanks for your patience.
6 Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Sooo, the parents sued because they were not intelligent enough to understand gravity and general physics stating that an object in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by an object of greater mass or velocity …
Honestly, I know they sued because they needed the money to take care of their child.
I tend to supervise my children when they are attending these sorts of events … I know their inclinations.
Goodness gracious! You are making this parent of a 16-month old enter the days of toddler-hood with trepidation… NOT because of what my own child will do but because of all the other kids and temptations that abound these days. Guess I’ll just be labeled the uncool mom who won’t let her child jump up and down a bouncy castle…
That’s so sad, but I don’t blame the bouncy house! Like so many other fun activities, safety is critical but often overlooked. I’ve seen some well run bouncy house activities, even threw a few parties at a bouncy house place! I’ve also seen some bouncy houses where I walked my kid in the other direction! Supervision is key! I still have a scar on my knee from when my childhood bouncy house experience was invaded by a group of rowdy older kids who started pushing everyone around. I fell, hitting my front tooth into my knee leaving a nasty cut. I was 8 and I still remember! Still, I don’t blame the moonbounce, I blame the jerk that pushed me!
Pardon my French, but what the hell were an 11 year old and a 13-15 year old doing in a Bouncy Castle? The problem isn’t with the toy; it’s with kids too big to be in them and the adults who let them.
I don’t know..the bouncy castles always looked scary to me! yeeks…
It’s not like you to not blog for so long…when’s that baby due?!