Guidelines for Parents Renting Backyard Inflatables

Sales and rental of bouncy houses and other inflatables are subject to state guidelines. Here are some tips to ensure these amusements are obtained from a safe and reputable vendor

• Be sure that the company is licensed and insured. A list of companies licensed to rent small and large inflatables can be found on our website. If the company is not licensed, do not rent from them.

• Ask for the most recent inspection report.

• Does the rental company set the unit up with trained employees? Avoid companies that want you to pick the device up and set it up yourself.

• Does the rental company provide an operator? (Vendors are required to have an operator for devices that are designed to enable patrons to stand, sit or climb to a height of 12 feet or higher, which are considered “large” inflatables.)

• If an operator is not provided, does the rental company provide you with clear instructions to ensure safe operation?  Avoid rental companies that do not provide an operator or fail to properly instruct you with the manufacturers recommendations including capacity limitations, wind restrictions, safe location guidelines and anchoring requirements.

What to look for before placing a child in an inflatable:

• Is the device placed on level firm ground?

• Is the device near any electrical lines or anything else that would interfere with the safe operation of the device? For instance, if an inflatable is against a brick wall, it would present a serious hazard to any child who would bounce against the wall or potentially deflate the device.

• Is the device anchored properly? If a device is using tent stakes or stakes that appear unable to hold the unit down in a strong wind, the device should not be used.

• Are the stakes fenced off or protected to prevent children from tripping or injuring themselves on them?

• Can you see any tears in the device or signs of excessive wear?

• Is the blower motor plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFI) receptacle?

• Does the operator appear to be trained and know what to do in the event of a deflation? Are they 18 years old or older?

• Is the operator allowing the capacity to be exceeded? If it looks like there are too many children in the device, chances are you are correct.