Tips to Renting Inflatable Rides for Your Party

Tips to Renting Inflatable Rides for Your Party

Whether you are planning a milestone event like a communion party, a child’s birthday, a block party or school carnival, inflatable rides are a big hit for youngsters.

Inflatable jumps, giant slides, inflatable slides, and other inflatable rides are something the kids will remember. Young guests leave with big smiles, and so do parents because their kids are totally exhausted (parents really like the exhausted part).

Finding a company that rents inflatables is usually easy, and most companies have a variety of styles to choose from (inflatable obstacle courses, inflatable combo units, etc.), but please hire someone that will make safety their number-one priority.

Before you pick up the phone and enter into a contract for a bounce house or inflatable interactive sports attraction, be certain to ask these three important questions:

1. Are they setting up and operating as per the inflatable manufacturer’s recommendations?
   The manufacturer knows how the inflatable was designed to be set up safely better than anyone. Confirming the company you hire knows and uses the amount of weight required to tether the attraction is paramount.
   

   "Proper tethering can help avoid unsafe situations like the ride shifting, moving, or even blowing away while being used" says Scott Weisberg of Everything Entertainment, an amusement operator since 1988.

   
   
2. Has the individuals that setup been trained?
   What type of training did they receive? Was the training documented with the state (certain states require it.)
3. Will they advise you when to cancel the attraction because of high winds.
   It is generally recommended inflatables shouldn’t be operated in winds over 15 mph. From time to time you see a news report of an inflatable ride blowing away with a child inside! It can happen. It has! If their answers demonstrate that they put safety first by assuring you that their equipment is maintained and operated in the safest manner, then you probably can feel comfortable moving forward.

Once you have hired someone for your inflatable bounce house, inflatable slide, etc., here are a few things you should bear in mind:

1. Have the inflatables been set up professionally.
   When using inflatables for entertainment at events and parties, don’t inflate or deflate them yourself. Have the company you hired set them up and take them down for you, plus pay for a trained attendant to staff the ride for you. They possess the knowledge about the attraction and will be dedicated to the safety and operation of it at your event. Please remember the operator is not a babysitter. They should inform guests of safety rules, but still may need a parent’s help if a child isn’t listening. Having an attendant there will be one less thing for you to worry about.
2. What’s the best place for the inflatable?
   Give some thought to where you want the attraction placed. The best spot is typically flat, level ground, free of rocks and debris. Overhead branches, electric lines, etc shouldn’t be close either. A tree branch could fall and injure a child or tear a hole in the bounce causing it to deflate and possibly trap a guest. Somewhere close to where the parents are gathering, but not too close to affect the refreshment area and other party activities. You should discuss your thoughts with the company to find the best area to inflate the ride.
3. Check your insurance policy.
   Don’t just ask, but have the company send you a copy of their insurance (and licensing: needed in most municipalities.) Besides General Liability (which most companies carry to protect themselves,) they should also have Worker’s Compensation and Disability if one of their staff gets injured. If they don’t have the proper insurance, you may be left as the responsible party, so you should see if your homeowner’s policy covers you. (I am not an insurance agent or broker, this is just my opinion from my experience.)

Asking the right questions and having some knowledge about these attractions will go a long way in hosting a fun, safe event featuring inflatables.