HSE issues safety advice on bouncy castles

HSE has issued revised safety guidance for those supplying, buying or hiring inflatable play equipment such as bouncy castles following several high-profile incidents in recent years where children have been killed and injured while playing on such equipment.
The guidance provides advice on topics such as ways of ensuring the inflatable has undergone the appropriate safety tests; the correct set-up of the equipment; the appropriate use of anchorage points and the maximum safe wind speed in which an inflatable can be used.
HSE announced plans to review its guidance on the correct operation and inspection of play inflatables following a number of high profile incidents over the last two years. This included the death of a seven-year-old girl after a poorly anchored bouncy castle blew away from its moorings at an Easter fair in Harlow, Essex, in March 2016.
An HSE spokesperson said: “Recognising concern around this issue, we have carried out significant engagement with the industry, including representatives of both fairground operators and inspection bodies. We have shared the updated guidance with our colleagues in the local authorities.
“We will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders across the fairground and entertainment industry, including inflatable devices, to keep visitors safe.”