Today, jumping castles are a very popular must-have for children’s parties across Australia and all over the world. There is, however, risk of injury even as the kids have fun and it is not uncommon to have some of the kids getting hurt by being pushed around by others or falling off the play inflatable. This calls for responsible adult supervision to ensure the safety of the kids at all times.

What You Can Do

Before Hire and set-up

· Check that the bouncing castles are of absolute great quality, choosing from among reputable suppliers in the industry is always the best call. Go for items designed for maximum durability and which can sustain the weight of those bouncing around in it. Ensure that the hire company is a licensed service provider and has insurance cover. You may also want to check whether the company or an independent authority conducts periodical inspections.

· Follow closely weather reports and gauge the suitability of the conditions for setting up the inflatable. It is ill-advised to set up on a windy or rainy days as these harsh conditions cause instability for the bouncing castles.

· Determine who will be in attendance in terms of a blanket age-group and possibly weight/size in order to choose appropriate bouncy castle sizes.

The Set-up

· Choose an appropriate set-up site for the bouncing castles, ideally soft, level ground.

· Check that the power supply feeding all equipment on site is reliable and that equipment such as the blower is strategically placed and protected.

· If the hire company is providing the set- up service, ensure that the team has the right qualifications and experience for the job.

· If, on the other hand you choose to do it yourself, then you should ensure that you follow the set up manual from the manufacturer to the letter. Similarly, follow all the instructions in fastening the anchoring pegs and other safety features.

During Playtime

There should be an adult(s) keeping a watchful eye on the kids as they jump around. Additional pointers that will undoubtedly help in ensuring maximum safety during playtime on the bouncy castles include the following

· Limit the number of kids allowed at a time on the bouncy castle to that recommended by the manufacturer, observing also the height and age limits given.

· To avoid bullying and other nasty incidences, the supervising adult should ensure that only kids of a given age-group play in the castle at a time. In all the excitement, and wishing to hog all the space for themselves, older and bigger kids tend to push around the younger ones.

· Every child entering the castle should remove their shoes and items such as jewelery and any sharp objects that may damage and deflate the inflatable.

· Kids can get quite creative with their moves around the bouncy castle. The supervising adult(s) should always keep an eye out for extreme acrobatics and caution against the same as the “performing acrobat” may injure self and others.

It warms the heart of every mum to watch their kids make merry and have a great time. Safety takes precedence over everything and with these highlighted pointers, you can rest easy that your child is safely having a great time on the bouncing castles.