‘Zero Staff, Unsafe Gear’

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Parent urges safety checks, easier complaints

A Bahraini father has accused a popular indoor play area at a mall in Manama of failing to ensure children’s safety after his young daughter suffered two fractures while playing there on Thursday.

According to the father, who spoke to The Daily Tribune, the child was taken first to the emergency unit at Salmaniya Medical Complex and later to a private hospital, where doctors confirmed two fractures.

No staff present

The father alleged that when his family entered the play area, “nobody” was on duty. “Only one lady came later. She is the cashier, she is the security, she’s watching - everything,” he said, adding that she appeared untrained to respond to emergencies.

The father claimed the staff offered no assistance during the accident and did not follow up afterwards. “Zero, nobody… even by call. How’s your baby?… Zero, nothing,” he said.

Unsafe equipment

He further alleged that the playground’s design posed hazards to children. “There is a steel bar, two meters plus… they cover it by leather. Kids think this is soft, but the accident is on steel,” he said. He also pointed to a slide that ends abruptly, which he believes increases the risk of injuries.

“Not at all following safety, especially for kids… I don’t know how they get approved to run this business,” he said, questioning how such facilities are allowed to operate.

The father added that he had signed an agreement before allowing his daughter to play, but only realised its implications afterwards. “I signed before I read,” he said, alleging that police later told him such waivers were “unfair.”

Calls for accountability

The father stressed that child safety should come before business, and urged authorities to simplify complaint procedures so parents are not discouraged from reporting unsafe practices. “If they can’t do right, whatever they need to do, they should write,” he said, describing the waiver and current system as “unfair.” He also said the operator did not brief families on safety equipment such as helmets, gloves, or knee supports. Complaints regarding the incident have been filed with the police and with the Consumer Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.