Bouncy Castle Safety: Understanding the Facts After the Gorelston Tragedy
Bouncy castles have been making headlines recently — and unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons. A tragic incident occurred when three-year-old Ava-May Littleboy lost her life on Gorleston Beach after a sealed-air trampoline exploded.
This was a heartbreaking and highly preventable tragedy. It’s understandable that parents and event organisers are now concerned about inflatable safety. But it’s also important to separate fact from fear.
Early reports described the equipment involved as a bouncy castle. In reality, it wasn’t a bouncy castle at all — it was a sealed-air trampoline. This difference is critical.
👉 If you want to understand how we keep our equipment safe, visit our Safety & Testing Information page.
Sealed-Air Trampoline vs. Bouncy Castle: What’s the Difference?
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Sealed-air trampolines are inflated once and sealed. If more air is pumped in, the structure can over-inflate and eventually explode.
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Bouncy castles, on the other hand, use a fan to continuously blow air in while letting excess air escape through the seams. The pressure stays stable, and the structure cannot explode.
In short: bouncy castles and sealed-air trampolines are not the same thing.
When used correctly and maintained according to the EN 14960 standard, bouncy castles are among the safest types of play equipment available.
The Real Safety Record of Bouncy Castles
Let’s look at the bigger picture. According to data reported by The Bouncy Castle Network:
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There are over 500,000 hires annually in the UK without incident.
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Over the past 12 years, there have been just five reported fatalities related to bouncy castles nationwide.
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All recorded incidents involved breaches of basic safety procedures and could have been prevented.
These figures highlight how rare serious accidents are when proper safety measures are in place.
👉 You can see our range of safe, professionally maintained inflatables here.
What to Look For When Hiring a Bouncy Castle
If you’re planning a party or event, here are key safety questions to ask any inflatable operator:
1. Do your inflatables have a valid safety test certificate?
Every reputable hirer should be able to produce a valid test certificate. Recognised schemes include PIPA, RPII, or ADIPS.
A certificate proves that the unit meets EN 14960 safety standards and is safe for its intended use.
2. Do you have public liability insurance?
Operators should provide proof of insurance that covers the use of their equipment at public and private events.
3. Do you carry out a risk assessment?
A proper risk assessment helps identify potential hazards and ensures steps are taken to minimise risks before the inflatable is used.
👉 Learn more about how we manage risk and keep your guests safe on our Health & Safety Policy page.
Reassurance for Parents and Event Organisers
I want to make this crystal clear: the incident at Gorleston did not involve a bouncy castle.
Used correctly, bouncy castles are safe. We are heartbroken by the loss of Ava-May, and incidents like this should never happen again. By choosing a reputable operator and following safety procedures, families can enjoy inflatables with confidence.
If you have any concerns or would like to know more about our safety protocols, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:
📞 07951 947 920 | 📩 Contact Us
👉 Looking for something fun and safe for your next event? Explore our most popular categories:
✅ Quick Safety Checklist for Hirers
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Valid PIPA / RPII / ADIPS certificate
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Public liability insurance in place
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Risk assessment carried out
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Trained, responsible operators on-site
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Equipment meets EN 14960 standards
📍 Bouncy Castle Hire in Your Area
We offer professional inflatable hire across the UK, with a focus on major cities and surrounding areas. Click below to learn more about bouncy castle hire in your local area:
🎈 All our equipment is tested, insured, and operated by trained professionals, giving you complete peace of mind.
🛡 Bouncy castles can be safe, fun, and enjoyed by everyone — when they’re used and managed responsibly.
📩 Contact us today for more information about our safety standards or to book your next inflatable hire.
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