Inflatables Should Be “Safety Always”

Inflatables should never be “Safety First”, rather
“Safety Always”

Safety has become the preeminent concern among the inflatable amusement industry, as kids and parents expectations of our attractions grow, so must the products. As the sizes grow so must our attention to the effects the environment around the install location will have on our equipment. In the eighties, you could only rent a Moon-Walk Bounce House, the nineties Giant Inflatable Slides and Inflatable Obstacle Courses were available to rent. Now there are inflatable slides that are over three stories tall for company picnics, one-hundred foot long inflatable obstacle courses for school carnivals, and challenging inflatable games that add mechanical elements into them available for college fun-days.

Taller inflatables have a greater potential to become affected especially by wind, swaying from side to side if not properly tethered. The proper way to offset this concern is to ensure that all guy lines are secured at the angle the manufacturer recommends, another trouble shooting method is asking the manufacturer to increase the number of tie down points. Something whoever you hire proactively does even for our low to the ground inflatable, because you should make sure whomever you hire believes in “Safety Always”

“All reputable manufacturers provide weight and tethering guidelines” says Scott Weisberg, President of Everything Entertainment.

Scott has been in the business since 1988 and carries some inflatables that require a dozen cement blocks, each weighing over eight hundred pounds.

“There have been many scary videos online of bouncers blowing away with children inside, that could have been avoided if the rental company just did what they should have done in the first place, which is follow the manufacturer's guidelines” said Scott Weisberg, President of Everything Entertainment.

Further measures can be taken such as using stakes whenever possible, and concrete weights on surfaces that are cannot be staked. By using cement block in lieu of water weights, you are greatly reducing the chance for wind gusts sliding an inflatable across surfaces such as concrete, asphalt or turf due to the increased friction of the concrete weights versus the smooth surface of water barrels. Secondly and unfortunately overlooked, is sandbags are prone to rips and tears, spilling its contents and reducing the weight with no one aware until it’s too late. In another “Safety Always” measure, we recommend you hire a company that uses extra durable sandbags when there is no other choice but to use sandbags.

Properly trained staff can considerably reduce the frequency of safety issues. Many more issues than just wind can affect the safety of the inflatable bounce house or slide. How power is run and where it is drawn from can lead to fire hazards, trip hazards, and blown electric circuits. If a cable is run to far from its source the wiring may be “working too hard” raising its temperature as well as its potential for overheating. Another power related concern can be overload, if too many items are drawing power from the same source, overheating again is a risk, both potential fire hazards. Please check that you use a company that trains its staff in proper electrical practices, places fire extinguishers within 6’ of every ride to ensure quick reaction to an unfortunate situation.

By having staff attend seminars led by industry professionals they begin understanding how every step they take can impact the safety of the event guests, which should always be the company you hire’s number one priority. Understanding the importance of watching those on the ride as opposed to just standing by, making sure rules are followed and injuries are greatly reduced. 

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.

Springtime Carnival Amusements

Springtime Carnival Amusements

A beautiful spring day in Queens, New York, played host to a fun-filled carnival attended by thousands. Everything Entertainment provided a multitude of inflatable amusements, including the Figure 8 Crash Course Obstacle Course, a Theme Bouncer, Tropical Maze, Pirate Ship Combo, Bungee Run, and more. Generator power from our studio quiet generator provided the electricity for the amusements too.

Everything Entertainment handled acquiring permits from the NYC Department of Buildings and NYC Department of Consumer Affairs for the event as well.