3 Must-Know Bounce House Safety Rules for the Best Party Ever!

When you get a dozen or so children in the same place, things can get a little crazy sometimes. The last thing you should be worried about is something going wrong with the bounce castle or inflatable waterslide. Before you rent your next blow-up attraction, it’s important to know the basic rules of safety for setup, playing by the rules, and disassembling.

Rule #1: Prepare Your Space for the Bounce House

Before you ever allow a child onto an inflatable, it must be fully inflated without any visible damages and securely installed to the ground. At first glance, the process seems simple. However, there are multiple steps you must follow to ensure the bounce house is safe to use.

Pick the Perfect Spot

Find a large flat surface area where you want to set up the blow-up castle, waterslide, or obstacle course. Try to make it a reasonable distance away from any fences, pools, houses or storage sheds. Pick up any rocks, trash, sticks or branches from the designated area.

Roll Out the Inflatable

Lay it out flat and centered on the chosen plot of land. Test the space between the entrance and exit openings to confirm that there’s enough room for children to get in and out of the inflatable easily. Fully extend any straps or loops that you will be anchoring to ensure there will be room for people to walk around them without tripping over them. Do not install any stakes into the ground yet.

Check for Damages Before Inflating

Every piece of the inflatable is designed to ensure safe use at all times. If the inflatable has any damage at all, it can impact the safety of using it. Check for any rips or holes in the netting or vinyl. Make sure none of the anchor loops or straps are torn or frayed.

Inspect All Mechanical Parts

Any obstructions around the fans can interfere with air from getting in and out of the inflatable. Before you plug in the power cable, check the fans for any cracks, debris, blockages or broken parts. Follow the length of the cable to ensure there are no tears, bends, or frays in the cable and make sure the cord is properly attached to the inflatable.

Perform a Power Test

Without attaching the blower to the inflatable, plug it in and turn it on to test that the fan moves freely and isn’t making any grinding or rattling noise. After testing, turn off and unplug the blower.

If all operational parts pass your inspection, it’s time to bring this bounce house to life! Securely attach the blower to the inflatable, then plug in the power cable, and turn it on. Depending on the size and shape of your inflatable attraction, it could take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to air up.

After Inflating the Bounce House

Once the bounce house starts to take shape, check again for any ripped seams, tears or holes in the vinyl. If there aren’t any glaringly obvious damages, but it still doesn’t look even, there may be a tiny hole somewhere. The best way to find it would be using soapy water.

How to Test Your Bounce House for Leaks with Soapy Water

• Fill a spray bottle with water mixed with a few drops of dish soap.

• Soak any suspecting parts of the inflatable.

• If you see any bubbles, this is a sign of air trying to escape.

• Patch the leak and continue the air up process and see if it evens out.

Test for Firmness

Once it appears fully inflated, lightly press along the surface to test the bounce. It should feel like you’re poking a very thick balloon. There should be no weak or soft spots.

Compare to the Photo

Use the visuals on the packaging as a reference point. If the finished result looks identical to the packaging, you’re set to move onto the next step.

Secure It with Stakes or Sandbags

If your setup passes the touch test and visual inspection, it’s finally time to lock it in place. Extend the straps and loops with even tension all around the inflatable. Then, hammer the straps and loops into the ground with yard stakes. 

If you’re renting party space, setting up your inflatable indoors, or you simply don’t want to create holes in your yard, you can use sandbags as a substitute to hold the straps in place.

Rule #2: Follow the Safety Rules Listed on the Inflatable

Safety precautions are in place for a reason. Here are some general rules that apply to most inflatables. Always refer to the user manual and safety rules listed directly on the product before allowing any children to play on it.

Follow All Weight and Occupancy Restrictions

All inflatables are tested for specific weight and occupant limitations clearly indicated on the safety label. Overloading a bounce house can cause instability or damage, increasing the risk of accidents. 

Consider Age Differences

Allow age-appropriate groupings to bounce together. That way, you are able to give a more accurate estimate of how many people can be in at a time. For example, you can let in more toddlers at a time than preteens. With this in mind, some inflatables are not designed for younger children. Always check the recommended age range on the safety label before letting the littles into the bounce house.

No Food, Drinks, Shoes, or Sharp Objects Allowed

Food and drinks cause messes and increase the risk of a fall. Shoes and sharp objects like toys and keys can damage the inflatable or lead to injury. Instruct kids to take off their shoes and empty their hands and pockets before getting into the bounce house.

No Roughhousing in the Bounce House

Bounce houses are for light, playful jumping, not for roughhousing or imitating your favourite wrestler. Discourage activities like tackling, flipping, or piling on top of each other to avoid collisions and injuries.

Additional Rules May Apply

The more complex the inflatable, the more rules you may need to keep in mind. For example, if the inflatable includes a water slide or splash zones, you should apply swimming pool rules such as no running near the edges.

If the inflatable includes an obstacle course, teach the kids to wait their turn and not climb on areas not designed for it, such as walls or arches. If an area is made for climbing, ensure they don’t move too quickly to prevent slips and falls.

Rule #3: Keep an Eye on the Kids Outside of the Inflatable

When you’re a kid and you’re having a great time at a party, it’s easy to get overly excited and do things you know you’re not supposed to. That’s why it’s so important that a responsible adult is present to make sure the “bounce house laws” are followed at all times.

No Kids Should Ever Be Near Moving Parts

Tampering with the mechanical parts of the inflatable can cause injury or unintended deflation of the bounce house.

Steer Clear of the Exterior of the Inflatable

Any misuse of the inflatable on the inside or outside can damage the vinyl and increase the risk of the bounce house deflating unintentionally. Children should never hit, kick, climb, or throw things in the general direction of the attraction.

Stay Away from the Stakes or Sandbags

Running around too close to the stakes or sandbags is a trip-hazard and poses a risk of loosening the secure attachments holding down the bounce house. If kids are not inside the bounce house or waiting in line, make sure there are other activities that keep them away from the stakes or sandbags.

When in Doubt, Hire a Professional

Now, that’s a lot to think about on top of managing a birthday party with a bunch of rowdy kids. When you rent from Bounce ‘n’ Play, you don’t have to even worry about any of what you just read about.

Our team of licensed professionals will deliver the inflatables to the party, handle setting it up, perform all the necessary inspections, and tear it all down when the party is over. That means you get to be fully present with your family and create memories that last a lifetime.

Call today to book your rental.