Wichita city officials are reviewing an ordinance aimed at safeguarding children on inflatable rides after a deadly accident earlier this year.
The Wichita Eagle reported Sunday officials hope proposed changes will raise awareness of the potential dangers of inflatables. The proposals that are under consideration include regulating rides owned by nonprofit groups and cracking down on people who misuse equipment.
The issue came to the forefront after 5-year-old Matthew Branham fell from an inflatable March 22 and hit his head on a concrete floor. He later died.
Several industry experts say the key to preventing serious injuries or deaths is stricter regulation and oversight.
“There have been a number of incidents — not just here but around the country,” Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said. “Enough to say, ‘We need to be careful.’ It’s a matter of public safety.”
As the investigation into Matthew’s death continues, city inspectors, police, attorneys and representatives of inflatable ride companies have come together to propose tougher regulations of moonbounce-style rides.
The Wichita City Council is scheduled to discuss the proposal at a workshop June 22.
One component would allow police to cite people who use or allow children to use inflatable rides in an unsafe manner, even on private property. The misdemeanor would carry a fine of up to $500 and 30 days in jail.
“This puts some teeth in the law,” Stolz said. “If we roll up on a report that someone’s doing something crazy on one of these things, we’ll have a checklist. We’ll know what to look for, what to ask about.”
Many of the proposed changes mirror a state law that regulates portable amusement rides yet exempts inflatables, said Kurt Schroeder, Wichita’s superintendent of central inspection.
“People are just as likely to get hurt on one of these (inflatables) if it’s operated improperly as any other ride out there,” Schroeder said. “Our primary interest is to make things as safe as we can.”
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