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Leading aquatic inflatables manufacturer Aflex Inflatables has released details of how it has sought to set the record straight to response to a recent article on the ABC News website that said “insurance companies won't insure a $60,000 community-funded inflatable water park because they say it's too risky in the current market.”

Published in March, the article Insurers refuse to cover swimming pool inflatable that fosters youth relations with police claimed that "an inflatable, portable water park purchased to strengthen youth relations with local police is gathering dust in a storage shed because no-one will insure it."

The pool inflatable had been purchased by the Yang branch of Blue Light Victoria - a charity that runs grassroots programs for young people, led by volunteer police officers. Fundraising had been led by Victoria Police Sergeant Shane Allgood.

Mindful that risk management practices are key to operators across the leisure industry securing insurance, Karen Stratford, Executive Director of New Zealand-based Aflex Technology told Australasian Leisure Management “it was very disappointing as the inflatable supplier to read Blue Light Victoria Inflatables could not be used in their community due to the insurance challenges.

“We know there was a great deal of time and effort put into fundraising by Sergeant Allgood for this project for the benefit of local youth and can imagine the great disappointment at not being able to use the inflatables after such diligence to select modules suitable for the water depth and their target age group.”

Stratford subsequently contacted Sergeant Allgood and an industry specialist insurance company to help resolve the outcome.

She advised “there are so many positives in engaging youth socially in recreation in a safe, structured, and supervised environment with inflatables. The opportunity for training as lifeguards was also a real bonus here for the local community.

“Insurance and business go hand in hand, and we do all we can in helping customers regarding how to setup and operate safely. Through the years we are very grateful to have developed good relationships with highly respected industry organisations like Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and LIWA Aquatics who have supported us, sharing their knowledge and experience in the aquatic industry to endeavour to help patrons mitigate risk as much as possible when using inflatables.

“For over 30 years we have developed and designed products with safety at the forefront of our inflatables. We are very mindful of ergonomics, water coverage, height and width of products, ease of access and exit to name a few considerations in designs.”

Aflex adhere to the appropriate class standards for inflatables (AS 3533.4.5) and has developed its own high manufacturing standards and systems as well as using quality materials to supply the best possible product.

Stratford added “our Aflex sales process ensures we endeavour to supply a suitable product that will work for each customer for their own unique situation whether it be aquatic or land inflatable.

“Comprehensive operations manuals, videos and risk assessment guidelines are always supplied by Aflex (although) we stress each customer must complete their own risk assessment for their unique location.

“We are always available to help our customers and believe inflatables used in the correct way by following manufacturer’s instructions, formulating a health and safety plan, life guarded well, and rules of play explained and implemented to the patrons, these products are no more inherently risky than many other recreation activities.”

Stratford concluded “risk management is key in using inflatables as is personal responsibility – like all activities and situations, it is how to manage that risk.”

Click here to read the original article.

Click here to contact Aflex Technology via their listing in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

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