27 May 2013

Friends don't let friends drink & bounce

No matter how many chardonnays you've had, keep off that bouncy castle you hired for the kids' birthday party.

Figures from ACC show injuries relating to inflatable castles have risen by over 60 per cent in the last five years, and the fastest growing demographic is the over-40s.

Children are still the most injured, with 5 to 9 year-olds accounting for more than half of each year's casualty rate. However, in 2008, at least 18 people aged 40-plus registered claims for bouncy-castle-related injuries - last year 31 adults made claims including nine people over 50.

So far this year, at least one person aged over 70 has claimed ACC for a bouncy castle injury [...]

ACC figures show bouncy castle injury claims cost the country more than $100,000 every year with 2010 a particularly costly year at $212,816.

Inevitably, experts point the finger at one common denominator: "Don't drink and jump" is the message one Auckland bouncy castle hirer tells his client.

"I can pretty much guarantee alcohol would be involved in at least half those (adult) accidents," the industry veteran said.

Many companies thought bouncy castle staff parties were a good idea but "I've seen the staff go crazy in them," he said.

- Ian Steward, 'Adult bouncy castle injuries on the rise', Sunday Star Times, 26 May 2013

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