To be upset about bouncy castle deflating

[fullcircleagain]

Just got back from an event with a bouncy castle. My four young children (youngest only 3) were on there. The castle starts deflating. The seedy owner panics and starts telling all the kids to get off. I couldn't see any of mine. My eldest son is really upset as he said he was at the top of the rock climbing wall. Lots of air came gushing into his ears and the walls were coming in. He had to push them back with all his strength.

It was all over in about three minutes. The owner apologised to me as he knew I had multiple kids in there.

I was shaking so much afterwards. Dh said I'm completely over-exaggerating and what on earth could happen with so many people around to help. But couldn't the plastic have come down and closed them in? AIBU?

[slightlyworriednc]

YANBU. I was on one that deflated when I was little. It was terrifying, and it's always stuck with me.

However, no harm done in the end. Have a cup of sweet tea and try to relax- your DH is only trying to reassure you, so don't be too hard on him.

[WalkingInMemphis]

Yanbu to be upset. I'm sure there was a child who got stuck on one deflating and died (sorry, don't want to make it worse). It could be very dangerous as when deflated that material clings and could be very difficult to get out of...if my dc were on one when that happened I'd probably panic as well.

Why did it deflate? Was it a puncture, or a problem with the machine that keeps it up?

I would probably follow up with the owner tbh to make sure it's properly taken care of and he doesn't just stick a plaster over a hole etc.

[redexpat]

That does sound quite frightening. Would a help?

[BackforGood]

Well, I wasn't there and don't know which particular castle it was, but I'm inclined to agree with your dh over this. Inflatables do fold themselves up every now and then when people are on them - problem with the generator or the electricity cutting out is the usual reason. Most dc seem to find it hilarious. I'm sure some doom monger will be along to tell you of some serious injury, but, considering this happens all the time, there are thousands upon thousands of children who just have a funny tale to tell when they get home.

[StetsonsAreCool]

Yanbu. Dd was on one at a 3rd birthday party last year that did the same.

I was honestly amazed at how many parents just stood there watching while the weight of the fabric just started descending on the dozen children inside.

Me and DH piled straight in (having sprinted over from the far side of the hall) and started plucking the kids out who weren't managing well themselves, eventually getting to DD who was in hysterics.

Luckily she doesn't seem to have any long term aversions to them, but nowadays I am that helicopter parent who stands right at the edge, just in case.