Children's injuries and inflatable attractions

Bright and seemingly harmless inflatable trampolines... Not every child can calmly pass by such entertainment. However, in addition to positive emotions, serious injuries can be sustained on inflatable attractions.

Thus, on July 10, 2021, in the village of Alexandria, Shklov district, strong winds blew down inflatable attractions, resulting in several people being injured.

In the Republic of Belarus, inflatable attractions are subject to the Technical Regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union 038/2016 "On the Safety of Attractions," as well as the Technical Safety Rules "Requirements for the Operation of Inflatable Play Equipment," approved by Resolution No. 35 of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus on July 30, 2015.

Here are some requirements for the installation and operation of such attractions:

- placement at a safe distance from buildings, trees, and utility lines;

- movable elements of the equipment (ropes, rope ladders, nets, etc.) must not intertwine and create danger for users;

- a zone free of any obstacles that could lead to injury must be created around the attraction;

- safe entry/exit and the possibility of user evacuation are mandatory;

- age homogeneity of visitors must be observed (children with a large age difference should not be on the same trampoline simultaneously);

- compliance with the maximum permissible number of visitors;

- the operator must always be nearby and be able to handle various situations.

Operation of the attraction is not permitted:

- without constant monitoring of the equipment and its technical inspection;

- if there is damage to any element or fastening unit;

- in adverse weather conditions: rain, hail, wind speed exceeding 10 meters per second.

At the entrance of each piece of equipment, there must be an information stand for users with information about the name of the equipment and rules of conduct for users on the equipment.

However, the existence of the listed requirements for the operation of inflatable attractions does not relieve parents of responsibility for the safety of their children. Danger usually comes from what we cannot control.

Before letting a child on an inflatable attraction, accompanying adults should carefully inspect the attraction from the outside, ensuring it is securely fastened and will not be tossed by the wind. The surface of the attraction should be free of patches and, especially, areas taped with adhesive tape. If you see patches everywhere, it means the attraction should be disposed of. It can be inflated, but not indefinitely. When the attraction is too soft, the uneven and movable surface of the trampoline creates dangerous conditions when several children play at once. If more than 3 children are present, it becomes difficult to stand up. Waves from other children's jumps knock them down, children pile up, and at this moment, injuries can occur. A child's foot or head can get caught in the gaps between the inflatable parts of the trampoline, and their cries will not be heard: the children's clamor and the sound of the air blower motor drown everything out.

It is important to understand and be able to explain to the child where exactly they need to be careful. Do not lose sight of your child while they are playing on the trampoline. The attraction attendant cannot keep an eye on all children at once. Never leave your child on the trampoline to attend to your own affairs.

Read the attraction rules yourself, and also inform children about possible injuries on the trampoline if safety rules are not followed. You can only go down the slide feet first, lying on your back. Going down on your stomach is allowed, but only feet first. However, going down standing up or head first, lying on your stomach, is dangerous. It is not recommended to go down in a "train" formation, holding on to each other. There is a high risk that children will pile up on the descent and may get injured. Teach your child to crawl or roll away in time after going down the slide: standing up can be dangerous, and not everyone will be able to do it. Explain why you shouldn't jump with all your might, and why it's better to jump away from other children. Start with trampolines of moderate size, or the smallest ones. Always choose an attraction according to the child's age.

By observing all the above rules, the attractions will bring only pleasure and will be remembered as a bright and pleasant adventure.