Have you ever had a bouncy castle at a children's party and ...?

Question

... what is the risk of them deflating and causing injury?

Answer 1

We got one for my cousin's son's 5th birthday, and he LOVED it. It's got a pump in the back continuously pumping air into it, so it can't deflate.



As long as you've got someone to watch the kids on it and only have a certain number on at a time (maybe separate them into age. We had tiny kids on, then older kids, then the oldest to avoid accidents involving bigger kids "squashing" the littlies!)



Bouncy castles aren't really too expensive now and they're really a lot of fun for the kids-safe as long as supervised.

Answer 2

I had one a few weeks ago and we had "children" ranging from aged 2 right up to 70 (granny!!) I understand your concerns but what we did was talk to the children in advance and set up rules...so that the younger ones got to go on their own and then the older ones (followed by the really old ones -granny etc when everyone else was tired!!) what i did was I stood with a bell and timed 5 or 10 minute sessions (10 minutes worked best) the kids were excellent and go off quickly to allow the next group on. Great fun was had by all. Doing this also ensures a safer environment and as long as no shoes or toys are on the bouncy castle it shouldn't deflate. Enjoy!!

Answer 3

Hi I had bouncy castles for my children when they were young, it's not the deflating that can cause injury it's other children, we always supervised the children, we let the younger ones on for 15 mins and then the older ones for the same length of time so long as you are quite clear to the children (especially the older ones) about the rules and how long at a time they will be on you will have no problems. My children loved the bouncy castles, as we were a very close knit of neighbours with children, we also used to hire them in the summer holiday's to keep the children occupied, the same rules ensued.

Answer 4

They don't deflate that fast. Provided there is an adult supervising, that's not a danger at all.



The danger is that the kids bounce on the very front edge, fall out and hurt themselves on something hard. or climb over the walls. Again, decent, responsible supervision, and crash mats at the front, will avoid this. A reputable hire company will also hire you suitable safe surfaces to put at the front of the castle.



The only other thing is to not allow too many kids on at once, and not to allow big ones on with little ones, because a collision can hurt the little one. Again, it's really down to common sense and good supervision. You can't safely put one up in the corner of a party and ignore it for kids of any age. But if you keep an eye and enforce sensible behaviour, they are safe and great fun.

Answer 5

I only ever one rented a bouncy castle when my sister in law made a comment, that she would not put her children on the re unless it was insured. I never really thought about injurys, i only thought about as long as the castle is anchored down, theres bump mats surrounding the opening, you keep the child from climbing the wall, doing summersaults or playing with the fan it should be safe.



Clearly her remark ruined the party, after fellow guests also picked up on her comments, and then were extra safety aware.



I was livid - for a while, but i had mine own back the following summer when she had a trampoline out in her backyard.

Answer 6

As long as everything is properly supervised, then nothing much can go wrong. Just make sure the children don't wear shoes on it, and it goes without saying no sharp objects. It takes quite a while for them to deflate anyway. My sister and I have hired them quite a few times for our children's' parties, and there have been no injuries, and of course once the children have been safely packed off to bed, us adults have had a brilliant time on them as well! x

Answer 7

well when i were younger (im 14 now) i had a bouncy castle a few times for my parties because my birthdays in summer.

As long as theyre supervised nothing should go wrong.



My younger sister went to a party with a bouncy castle when she were younger and all the children were excited and one of the little girls (she was about 6) she got pushed on to the part you sit on while you take your shoes off and i dont know what happened but she ended up having to have a metal bar through her knees and being in a wheelchair for a while, i dont know what happened.



That were only a one off, but it can happen. Just be careful while theyre on it.



Have a good time! :)

Answer 8

Bouncy castles are fine and good fun as long as the children are supervised. I think its best if the younger children go onto the bouncy castle at different times to the older children, as sometimes older children can get a bit boisterous at times.



I don't think there is much risk of the bouncy castle deflating if it is supervised as much as possible.



Kids (and adults!) usually get a lot of fun from bouncy castles!

Answer 9

as with anything there is no such thing as zero risk



i have had older kids to my sons birthday party when he was small with a bouncy castle and no accidents occurred



i think the key to it is to have different sessions with a session for the small kids (IE under 6's) and then after 5 minutes have a change over with a session for the bigger kids



and always have someone supervise what goes on when on the bouncy castle - sometimes just knowing that an adult is watching can ensure certain events don't occur

Answer 10

I had them for quite a few brithday partys



Only injurys iv had over the years have been minor ones where children have bumped into each other not looking where they are bouncing



They are very sturdy and only tend to go down if unplugged



To be extra safe we checked the lawn for any sharp stones or nails ect. But the material is thick and hard to tear so dont worry





The Children all seemed to love it and so did the adults

enjoy

Answer 11

As long as it's not windy and there's an adult constantly in attendance I think they're ok. We had someone stationed beside it ALL the time....there has to be because some daft kid will always start climbing over the back of it...also, we had to instigate a numbers rule...only so many at once and then after a bit, we kicked the bigger kids off so the little ones could have a go safely.

Answer 12

The only concern I had was that some kid will vomit on it after eating. It seems very stupid to let children eat, then let them go jump on a bouncy thing as much as they want!!



My daughter actually did get an injury from one of them once. One kid was on there with his shoes on, big, hard boots, and they accidentally kicked my daughter in the back of the knee. We spent the rest of the day in casualty, and she was off school for 2 weeks. Her knee was fractured.

Obviously this was due to lack of supervision - the boy had his shoes on.

Answer 13

My husband & I deliver bounce houses as a side job.



If a home's power source is antiquated or not up to code, it is possible for it to lose power & start going down.



In the 1.5 years we've been doing this, this has only happened twice (once was at our own home). And, no one has ever been injured by this problem.



If the home is older, problems can be avoided by carefully planning to have nothing else plugged into that circuit besides the inflatable.

Answer 14

Nope, but my kids have been to plenty of parties where there's been bouncy castles and everything has been fine, I've never heard of one deflating and causing injury, though it possibly has still happened, it must be extremely rare!

Answer 15

I have been to a few kiddies parties where they hired a bouncy castle and the last one we were at my 4 year old son, decided to switch it off!!! whilst everyone else was in it - there were about 10 or more kids in it with a few adults watching the front - no one watching the back!!!! it deflated QUICKLY!!! and all the kids were screaming but thankfully we spotted my son as the culprit and got him to switch it back on again - no one was hurt and it was quite funny to be honest but it did make us all think that it could've been alot worse!!!

Answer 16

I know loads of people who`ve held bouncy castle parties and they`ve never had any problems,although obviously nothing is risk free where young children are involved!!!

However i feel this isn`t really the point...it`s your son and DIL`s child and therefore their desision to make, not yours!

seems like you just want to cause trouble by opposing DIL ideas!!!!

Answer 17

This sounds like good fun ! Your daughter-in-law hires one for the little ones and you hire a second one for the adults - (read 'momof3') !!!!

As long as you take turns and don't wear shoes , you'll be fine and also make sure you are wearing knickers !

Don't worry about the kids - they'll look after you !

Answer 18

whilst i became little my mom enable me %. the place i needed, she many times gave the ok as long as though it have been in reason. I many times picked places mutually with indoor play grounds, and etc. those are consistently extremely lots of relaxing, and to not point out basic. No sizeable extra making plans or etc. swimming pools may be relaxing too, and intensely basic, the down factor is it being iciness nevertheless I had a celebration at a pool as quickly as, i became born in January. Its ok yet I got here out freezing chilly. video clips are additionally a good place, basic too.

Answer 19

Joan I have had them many a time as long as they are put up safe which they will be if done by proper people she hires it from and also you have someone responsible supervising it things will be great.

Only nans do not go on drunk like my mom did she fell over showed her knickers and embarrased my daughter to this day we have the photo to prove it lol

Answer 20

yes we've had one and they were great fun, just have someone to supervise it only letting so many kids in at a time, and seperate young ones from the older ones, as the older ones are more boisterous,



once all the party guests go away, the family adults can have a go, believe me, we had a brilliant laugh.

Answer 21

It should be fine as long as the little ones are separated from older kids and adults. I recently heard that a toddler was killed after playing on one with some adults who bumped into the child causing him to fall and hit the floor forcefully.

Answer 22

Honestly it would be pretty hard to injure yourself in one by it deflating. As long as shoes are removed and no sharp objects allowed inside, its fine. Its REALLY hard to puncture them. Even if by chance it does get punctured, it takes a really long time for it to fully deflate. No worries.

Answer 23

Unless someone takes knives in with them and throws them around, they won't deflate.



Just supervise the children and only allow so many in at once (depending on the size of the bouncy and the size of the kids).



If, because of some freak accident, it does start to deflate - it will do so slowly and not really fast.

Answer 24

if the children are supervised there shouldn't be a problem joan, they are pretty safe , of course you'll get some silly older kids bumping each other , but if the parents keep an eye on the kids ,it should be alright , and if its raining its a definate no no

Answer 25

About the same odds as it staying up till the end of the kids party Jone they are brillant fun, for your grandsons.x

Answer 26

I don't think there is a great risk if used properly and supervised.



My childminder has one that goes up in the summer, she has never had any problems but she is very conscientious.

Answer 27

It's not your son and it's not your birthday party to plan. You have no say in it.



I've NEVER heard of one deflating and rarely does anyone get hurt in them. Back off your daughter in law and let her deal with her own son's birthday party.

Answer 28

As long as there are no sharp objects in or around the bouncy house, it should be fine, also make sure everyone who gets in takes their shoes off.

Answer 29

I work with one and they are very safe but Joan Joan Joan you exasparating mare! HE IS NOT YOUR SON! It is COMPLETELY up to your DIL what she does on his birthday.

I thought you weren't even well enough to see the boys, let alone poke around in their business?

I beg of you Joan, get off her back before it's too late.

Answer 30

i used to work on a bouncy castle at a sport centre they can be very dangerous children shouldnt do rolls on them, they can also be lots of fun you just have to supervise.

Answer 31

they are pumped by air there is no danger just have to let little ones on and get big ones off make them take turns

Answer 32

I think the decision must be your daughter in laws, she will be the responsible adult at the party.

Answer 33

They are good fun ................ If they're supervised properly and arn't overcrowded .....

Also you have to make sure that small and big kids don't go on together ....................... sounds like too much responsibility and hassle, but that's just my opinion.

Answer 34

I'm sorry, but what has it got to do with you?? If that's what *she* wants for *her* son's birthday party then it is her choice.

Answer 35

its ok there is peole that time, look in so no one will get hurt, try wating til the summer, then you can get a water slide and they can do that instead!

Answer 36

they are made strong just keep your eye on the generator keep up the air pressure .

Answer 37

we own one and it's worked great for 3 years.

Answer 38

Never mind a kids party i had one for my 22nd birfday it was ace!!!! Get drunk and bounce til you hurl LOL

Answer 39

Sorry but it's her kid, her money, her party! You really don't have say in it.

Answer 40

Yes have, as long as its well supervised you will be ok