Safety - Helping Kids Play Safe

Unfortunately in the inflatable play industry it is increasingly common that uninsured and unqualified opportunist hirers are operating equipment that is unsafe or unsuitable for hire. These 'fly by night' hirers are a risk both to your children and to the reputation of the industry as a whole.

PIPA is an inspection scheme set up by the inflatable play industry to ensure that children's play equipment conforms to certain standards. Whilst inflatable play is normally a safe way for children to have fun, poorly designed or badly worn equipment can increase the risk of injury to users.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act manufacturers, hirers, operators and users have a responsibility to ensure minimum risk, this risk is more easily managed if it conforms to accepted standards. Each piece of conforming equipment supplied by a reputable manufacturer is now 'tagged' at production with a unique number that stays with the inflatable throughout its life. The tag number is logged onto a central database where the results of its initial and subsequent annual tests are recorded.

All new inflatables manufactured by a reputable firm will be PIPA tagged at production.

All new castles we acquire are PIPA tagged at manufacture and all castles are inspected regularly to ensure they continue to meet health and safety requirements. Don't just take our word for it, however. Feel free to call or email us regarding safety, and request our castles' tag numbers. You can check these numbers on the PIPA website to ensure that the equipment you'll be using at your event has passed the safety tests. Event Supplies Ltd. is fully compliant with all Health and Safety Regulations that are relevant to our business and all of our inflatables are manufactured and maintained to comply with Health and Safety Executive guidance notes (Entertainment Sheet 7). All electrical equipment we hire is tested annually by a certified Portable Appliance Tester. Risk assessments are available for all hire units upon request.

If you are looking around at other hire firms, make sure your children are not put at risk from faulty equipment. Ask the following questions to be sure:

• Do you conform to the PIPA Scheme?
• Do you carry out daily checks on the equipment as required by EIS7?
• When was the equipment last fully inspected?
• Will I get full instructions on the safe operation of the equipment?
• Can I see the current PIPA test certificate for this equipment?
• Are you a member of a relevant association? (AIMODS, NAIH or BIHA?)
• Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
• Source: www.pipa.org.uk

For more information about the PIPA scheme or for tips to ensure your children stay safe throughout your hire check out www.pipa.org.uk.