Bouncer Rental Safety Guide

Renting a Bouncehouse for your next backyard party? With all the recent news and the announcement of a federal investigation into the safety of the Bouncer Rental Industry; here at Executive Events & Entertainment we have decided to release our Bouncehouse Safety Guide. A guide which outlines all the appropriate safety measure that we take and you need to take when setting up and operating a bouncehouse. For sake of ease we have decided to forgo the classic blog post setup and present you with a numbered checklist which will ensure that your bouncehouse rental goes off without any injury.   

Bouncer Safety Guide

Review the following checklist to ensure that your Bouncehouse rental is ready and safe to use. Remember over 50,000 Bouncers are rented everyday during the summer months and 96% of them go off without a single incident. That is due to vigilant Bouncer rental companies like 3E ensuring that every single customer is trained and well versed on all the safety rules and features of the Bouncehouse.

1. Inspect the Area you are placing your Bouncer

       -Make sure that the area is level & free of debris such as wood, glass,
       or other garbage. Sweeping the area with a bristled broom before setup
        is the best way to ensure all debris is clear. If need be lay down a 
        protective tarp (provided by the bouncer rental company) and place the
        bouncer over that tarp.

   2.. Check the Weather!!!
       -There is nothing worse than a rained out party. Checking the weather
         is essential for the proper planning of any inflatable (bouncer) rental.
         Be sure to check the precipitation chances and the wind speeds. If the
         wind speed exceeds 15mph your bouncer rental company should
         suggest that you schedule an alternative date. Too high of winds
         make the Bouncer unsafe to operate and here at 3E we will NOT
         operate in winds exceeding 15mph. It presents a clear risk to the riders.
         If need be consult an aerometer for precise on site winds speeds.

   3. Make sure the Bouncer is Anchored.
       -The recent stories of Bouncers flying off into the air and injuring kids
         are a direct result of poor anchoring. At 3E we provide each bouncer
         rental with either 4- 18inch steel stakes or 4-100lb sandbags to
         ensure that bouncer will not mover once it is setup. If setting up a
         bouncer by yourself, Be sure to pound the stakes into the ground until
         only the very top of the stake is showing. Ideally you will drive 17 of
         the 18 inches of each stake into the ground. Using sandbags, be sure
         to strap each bag to the anchor points on the bouncer. Finally, Check,
         Check, and Double Check each anchor point to ensure that it is
         secured to the ground. DO NOT let anyone in the bouncer until
         you are 100% positive that is it anchored to the ground.

   4. Check the Blower Connections
       - Every inflatable whether a bouncer, obstacle course, or mechanical
         bull is inflated using a electronic blower. The blower requires 1
         independent outlet, meaning it needs its own electrical circuit to
         operate. Nothing else can be plugged into the same outlet as the
         bouncer blower. Visually inspect that the electrical connection is secure
         and that the extension cord is tucked out of the way so nobody will
         trip over it. Also, inspect that the blower is firmly secured to the
         bouncer inflation tube. Each tube strap sewn to it so it can be secured
         to the blower. Remember, the blower must stay on in order for the
         bouncer to remain inflated.

   5. Visually Assess Each Rider.
      - There is always a wide age range of riders with any bouncer rental. It
         is the responsibility of the operator to ensure that the kids bounce
         safely. We suggest separating the kids by age and size. Have similarly
         sized kids ride together. With similarly sized kids, the chances of any
         injury are greatly reduced. You DO NOT want to put big kids in
         with little kids. Also, keep in mind how many kids you are letting in
         at once. Unfortunately there is no magical number so you will have
         to visually make sure that each set of riders has enough space inside
         the bouncer to bounce without running into one another.

   6.  Manage the Behavior.
        - Beyond ensuring that the bouncehouse is setup correctly, it is of
          extreme importance to manage the behavior of the riders once they
          are in the bouncer. As a general rule, stick to bouncing only. NO
          flipping, somersaults, cartwheels, wrestling, or any other contact
          behaviors. 9 times out of 10 when an injury occurs in a bouncehouse
          it is because the rider is doing something other than just bouncing.
          Ensuring your riders do nothing but bounce in the bouncer will not
          completely eliminate the risk of injury but it will greatly reduce it. 

Disclaimer

This is not a definitive manual on bouncehouse safety but it will help ensure that you can prevent injuries at your next party or event. For a complete guide please refer to your bouncer rental company. They should have a training/licensing book which outlines all the safety rules, regulations, and laws regarding bouncer rentals in your area. PLEASE NOTE!! If your bouncer rental company does not have a training/inspection book for you to see, do not use them! If they have no training/inspection book then there is a good chance they are not licensed and insured for bouncer rentals and will have NO recourse for you in the unlikely event that there is an injury.