Safety first!

For the 7 months of 2021, on the territory of Lepel district, two minors sustained bodily injuries as a result of road traffic accidents. There were no road traffic accidents resulting in the death of minors, nor were there any cases of children drowning.

However, despite the generally positive trend, the issue of child safety remains one of the highest priorities in the activities of prevention entities.

During the summer period, amusement parks, playgrounds, and entertainment centres are particularly popular and in demand among children and parents. The attractions and inflatable play equipment located in these places are zones of increased danger.

Every year, there are cases of children being injured on these facilities in the republic.

For example, on 10.07.2021, in the agro-town of Alexandria, Shklovsky district, an inflatable attraction was torn from its moorings by a gust of wind, resulting in injuries to minors, among others. This incident occurred due to the improper provision of play equipment services by the owner of the attraction.

There are no stationary attractions or inflatable play equipment in Lepel district. However, mobile attractions and inflatable play equipment are periodically operated at various mass events. In this regard, we would like to draw parents' attention to the rules of safe behaviour at these facilities.

The operation of inflatable play equipment is regulated by the "Requirements for the Operation of Inflatable Play Equipment," approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated 30.07.2015 No. 35 (hereinafter referred to as the Requirements).

Here are some requirements for the installation and operation of these attractions:

- the inflatable attraction must be located at a safe distance from buildings, trees, and utility lines (Clause 18 of the Requirements);

- each piece of equipment must have at least 6 anchoring points, unless otherwise provided by the manufacturer (Clause 33 of the Requirements);

- a zone free from any obstacles that could cause injury to users, visitors and/or service personnel must be provided around the equipment (Clause 30 of the Requirements);

- establishment of the maximum number, age, height, weight of users allowed to play on the equipment simultaneously (Clause 39 of the Requirements);

- operation of the equipment is prohibited in adverse weather conditions (hail, rain, wind), in the absence or damage of fastenings, when the equipment is secured to vehicles and other mobile means, and in other circumstances provided for by Clause 43 of the Requirements.

At the same time, parents are also responsible for the safety of their children who wish to use inflatable attractions. Before allowing a child onto an attraction, you must visually confirm its safety yourself, as its owners do not always adhere responsibly to safety rules for attractions. Visually inspect the attraction for structural integrity (presence of patches, deflation, etc.). Ensure that there are no objects in the immediate vicinity that could cause injury to children, and also visually inspect the presence of the attraction's fastenings. After that, you must familiarise yourself with the rules for using the attraction, which, according to Clause 54 of the Requirements, must be posted on an information board at the entrance to each piece of equipment. The rules for using the attraction must be clearly explained to the child, and they should also be told about the possible consequences of not following the rules.

And under no circumstances should you forget that a child playing on an attraction must be constantly within the parents' sight, in order to provide timely assistance if necessary.

Senior Assistant

Prosecutor of Lepel District

Class 2 Lawyer E.V. Banevskaya