My 19 month old son has on four separate occasions been robbed of his health & joy due to poorly kept indoor soft play centers. Each visit to these centers has resulted in a two to three-day hospital stay, he’s contracted croup, hand foot and mouth disease, and even bronchiolitis (RSV) - not once, but twice! Despite the risks, as a parent, I did not want to be the one refusing my child the simple joy of play. I trusted, only to watch my child suffer time and again. 

Tragically, my son is now dealing with asthma, a condition believed to be developed from his previous encounters with croup and bronchiolitis. No child should have to endure this just because proper hygiene is not observed in places where they are supposed to be safe and have fun.

According to the World Health Organization, diseases such as hand, foot, and mouth disease spread in surroundings laden with poor sanitation. The constant transmission of these diseases reflects a clear and urgent need for regular deep cleaning in all indoor soft play areas. A once a week, intensive clean-up should be the starting point, but we need to push for even more stringent regulations.

These establishments hold great responsibility - the health, safety, and wellbeing of our children. It's time they start taking this duty seriously. Let's enforce the necessary changes, holding play areas accountable for their cleanliness. Please sign this petition and safeguard the health of our children to guarantee that the trip home from a soft play area is filled with laughter and not a detour to the hospital.