Hi all,
I realized that Fidget, some kid's place at Turf City, was mentioned here some time ago. Just fyi, I read from another forum that a child was badly hurt whilst playing there. Here is an excerpt of the info from an expat forum:
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 March 18, 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. incident occurred during the week which was the Easter break for some of the international schools. The entire play area was still open at this time, as was the ball pit area. The 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, 2008.
So for all who plan to go, put it on hold first.
