“No parents should have to worry about a simple ride on a Jumping Castle ending in serious injury” - Standards Australia CEO John Tucker, 2005.

Kidsafe Victoria today called for an immediate national safety standard to be implemented and enforced on the sale of all Jumping Castles for domestic use.

Dr Mark Stokes, President of Kidsafe Victoria said, “Data supplied by the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU) reveals the prominence of injuries due to inflatable Jumping Castles”.

Over the period 1996 to 2006, a total of 486 injuries were attributed to these temporary structures, with almost 20% of these cases occurring in the home environment.

Dr Stokes said that a major loophole in legislation means that inflatable Jumping Castles classified as ‘Toys’ have no relevant Australian Safety Standard.

“On one hand we have a safety standard for commercial Jumping Castles.  On the other hand, Jumping Castles classified as Toys don’t need to comply with the current Australian Safety Standard despite having identical injury risks”.   

The Toy classification releases manufacturers from compliance with the current Australian Standard for Inflatable Jumping Castles (AS 3533.4.1-2005).

“The current legislation for ‘Toy’ Jumping Castles is fundamentally flawed and fails to protect parents and children across Australia.”   

The Australian Standard for Amusement rides and devices was introduced in 2005 in response to the tragic death of a young girl in South Australia and followed several other serious injuries (Reference: 2001 NSW Parliament Hansard; Land-borne inflatable devices AS 3533.4.1).

The loophole in the legislation allows people to advertise and sell these ‘Toy’ Jumping Castles to unsuspecting parents with the claim these devices comply with Australian Safety Standards. They do not specify that the standards they are referring to are non specific Toy Standards.

Dr Stokes said, “Parents buying and installing a ‘Toy’ Jumping Castle for a party or for the Christmas holidays could be risking serious injury to their own or someone else’s child, and buying themselves a legal nightmare if their own or some one else’s child was injured on such a product.

“Parents also need to be aware of the hidden dangers of Jumping Castles. During moderate to high winds inadequate anchorage could result in the Jumping Castle being blown into the air with children still inside.  In previous incidents this has resulted in both death and injury to children involved.” 

Kidsafe Victoria calls on all Governments throughout Australia to act immediately to remove Jumping Castles from the Toy classification and make it illegal to import or sell any Jumping Castle in Australia that does not comply to the Australian Standard for Inflatable Jumping Castles (AS 3533.4.1-2005).    

Kidsafe Victoria is currently working with Consumer Affairs Victoria to address the issue, however in the interim there are key messages for parents.

Dr Stokes warns parents of the growing problem of second hand Jumping Castles being sold on the internet which could have problems with the electric blower system, inadequate anchorage and general wear and tear.

“We ask any parent who is purchasing a Jumping Castle to insist the seller provide proof that the Jumping Castle conforms to Australian Standards for Inflatable Jumping Castles (AS 3533.4.1-2005).”

“If the product does not have this information, simply do not buy it,” Dr Stokes said.     

“If you are hiring a commercial inflatable Jumping Castle for a party, make sure the Jumping Castle is set up by a trained operator who is familiar with the equipment.  It would be wisest to spend a few extra dollars to have the trained operator supervise the Jumping Castle at all times during the party”, Dr Stokes said.

Kidsafe Safety Tips for Jumping Castles:

• Pay attention to the weather and avoid Jumping Castles on windy days
• Make sure the Jumping Castle has an anchorage system and is secured adequately
• Check the Jumping Castle for any wear and tear that could result in it deflating and suffocating your child
• Make sure there are no sharp objects near the Jumping Castle
• Always use a safety switch on the power to the Jumping Castle (a residual current device - RCD)
• Use safety mats at entrance/exits.
• Limit the number of children allowed in the Jumping Castle to limit collisions that could cause injury
• Never allow older children to jump with younger children
• Supervise children closely when on the Jumping Castle for safety – treat the Jumping Castle similar to a swimming pool  
• If you are renting an inflatable Jumping Castle ask about the operator's experience, safety record and training requirements.
• Make sure the Jumping Castle is set up by trained professionals who are familiar with the equipment
• Spend the extra money to have a trained operator supervising the Jumping Castle at all times
• When hiring a jumping castle parents should ensure the operators have Public Liability insurance and are familiar with both the equipment and AS 3533.4.1.

Media Enquiries:

Dr Mark Stokes, President of Kidsafe Victoria, Mobile 0408 038 267

            Ron Smith, Corporate Media Communications, Mobile 0417 329 201