Fidgets are a
new indoor soft play area at Turf City. For parents
eager to find something new to do with their kids, especially when
it is raining, the indoor play area is bound to be popular.
Unfortunately,
the place seems to be unsafe for kids and what's even worse - the
owner is careless and irresponsible.
On 18 March, 2008, at around 12:30pm, a 7-year-old child who was
playing in the ball pit zone of Fidgets was hurt by a sharp cut in
her inside right leg around the knee area. She sustained
two wounds, one was 9cm long 4 -5mm deep, and the cut went through
her skin down to her muscle; the second wound was beneath the first
5cmx4mm on the skins surface. The gash was so deep;
it was obvious that a sharp metal object must have caused the
injury.
A parent who was assisting the child requested for the first aid
box. Surprising the first aid box lacked a, b, and c. When
the parent asked the owner Sandy why the box was insufficiently
stocked, the answer was there had been some accidents during their
first week and they had yet to replenish it. The parent
stated for a children's establishment surely ensuring the box was
sufficiently stocked should be a primary requirement.
After the wounded child was being sent to the Emergency Unit, the
staff at Fidgets said they were unable to locate where the accident
had occurred. A parent informed them that the child had indicated
it was on the metal slide, which is part of the ball pit.
The entire play area was still open at this time, as was
the ball pit area. The incident occurred during the week
which was the Easter break for some International schools; hence
the cafe area was full with not a seat spare. But once the accident
occurred the premises were almost empty. It was the parents
themselves that were deterring the children from entering the ball
pit area, and the staff had not cordoned off the
section.
The parent who had administered first aid went down the
metal slide to check, and noticed 4 exposed metal screws on the
left hand side of the slide, each screw protruding approximately
4mm. The padded area around the metal screws was covered in
blood, which begs the question how the staff or the owner’s husband
who had "inspected" the area were not able to notice this.
The parent showed the screws and blood to the staff, they cleaned
the blood from the area. The parent took some photos of the exposed
metal screws. A number of parents came forward to the parent taking
the pictures, and they stated they were happy to recount the events
that had occurred and act as witnesses should any be required,
details were exchanged.
Another parent who witnessed the accident contacted her friend who
was going to visit Fidgets with her children in the afternoon, and
advised her against the visit. The mother who had planned the trip
contacted Fidgets, she inquired as to whether they were still open
as she had heard that an accident had occurred. The staff
responded by stating that a child incurred a "graze", some netting
had come loose which had been made "good", hence it was business as
usual and all parts of the play area were open.
An open wound of 9cm through the muscle was described as a
"graze" - if this were the case why would the child have required
surgery? Why would the majority of parents remove their children
and leave the premises?
The mother of the wounded child has sent a message to Sandy the
owner on the day of the accident. She urged Sandy the owner
to take responsibility for the injury and make sure the safety for
children in Fidgets. However, Sandy the owner hasn't responded a
single word or taken any action.
Fidgets have
been opened Business As Usual after the tragedy happened on 18
March, 2000.