Local authorities ban bouncy castles - Fife council is another in an increasing list of local authorities to ban the use of bouncy castles. The banning of bouncy castles by local authorities is sending out the wrong message to parents and hirers, reportedly cancelling booking in the wake of local authority bans. The majority of bouncy castle injuries are caused by users bouncing off the inflatable onto the ground, being hit by other users or simply falling awkwardly. Many of these incidents could easily be avoided by effective supervision.
There are about 10,000 accidents on bouncy castles each year but even the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents believes that Fife Council may have overreacted. Roy Vincent, from the society, said: “In all types of play children get hurt and 40,000 people are injured every year in children’s playgrounds. But we would not go so far as to call for a ban.”
Bouncy castle hire companies are being urged to obtain specialist insurance to protect themselves and clients. Rachel Gow of insurance brokers Peacock Insurance says “With high profile incidents concerning accidents associated with bouncy castles, operators are beginning to take seriously the need for public liability insurance ( http://www.peacockinsurance.co.uk/
In addition a recent increase in bouncy castle thefts has left many operators out of pocket without adequate insurance cover”
The increasing popularity of bouncy castles in Spanish resorts has led to an increasing number of bouncy castle thefts by organised gangs in the UK. Thieves recently stole a bouncy castle from The Bell Inn at Tong, Shifnal in Shropshire. The 12ft castle which was deflated at the time was stolen from the pub’s beer garden. The £1,000 bouncy castle, was pulled through a fence.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "It would have been a large and heavy item to remove, so the offender may have had a vehicle nearby."
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