Bounce House Rentals: Everything You Need to Know Before You Rent
Organizing a birthday party, carnival, or picnic? Looking for something to make it super fun and exciting? Then a bounce house might be the answer to your entertainment needs! But before you dive headlong into the world of bounce house rentals, there are a few things you need to know. In this blog post, we're going to explore all the ins and outs of bounce house rentals and help you make the best decision for your next outdoor event. From proper safety considerations to maximizing fun, we have all the info you need to make sure your bounce house rental experience is top-notch. So let's get started on the ultimate guide to bounce house rentals!
Quick Insight into Key Points
You will need to factor in the size, safety features, and cost when selecting a bounce house. Make sure you read the rental agreement for any additional details about the bounce house prior to agreeing to rent it.
Performing a Thorough Check of the Bounce House
Performing a thorough check of the bounce house you are looking to rent is essential. It's not enough to just take the word of the rental company on its quality, making sure it's in good condition with no holes and sharp objects that could potentially hurt children is your responsibility. Visiting the physical location and doing a visual assessment can be time consuming but invaluable. Ask to speak with an attendant that can answer all of your questions, such as what types of safety protocols they have in place, their most recent safety inspection date, etc. Be sure to ask the rental company whether they take the time to thoroughly clean the bounce house after each rental before allowing it back out. Poorly maintained bounce houses or ones with any kind of damage put children at risk and should be avoided.
Running through all of these checks may seem daunting, but it's worth every effort if it means protecting your children and other people's children from potential harm. After you have completed your investigation and chosen a bounce house to rent, the next step is fully vetting the owner of the business.
Call the Owner to Vet Their Business
Once you’ve completed your extensive check of the bounce house, it is important to take things a step further and call the owner to vet their business. Calling the owner is an essential step in avoiding potential fraud, as threats of scamming appear frequently in the bounce house rental industry. Direct communication with the owner can give you a better sense of who they are, how their business operates, and how their customer service will respond if something were to go wrong during your event.
When making this phone call with the owner, ask direct questions about safety regulations, how often the bounce house is cleaned/sanitized between rentals, what insurances and/or permits they possess, and any other questions that will help you generally understand the legitimacy of their business. Additionally, discuss possible scenarios that could arise during your event related to injuries or equipment malfunction and ensure the owner is prepared and willing to handle those issues should anything occur. Most importantly, go over all prices, delivery charges, overtime fees, and any other costs associated with renting their bounce house. By doing so, you can ensure that you won’t receive any surprise bills or charges after your event has ended.
Conducting thorough background research alongside calling the owner can put you in an optimal position when deciding which bounce house rental company to choose for your upcoming event. However, be mindful of local zoning laws and agreements when selecting your bounce house rental company - especially if holding a large gathering - as these will play a key role regarding where and when you can host your event.
Key Summary Points
When renting a bounce house it is important to research the company and call the owner to discuss safety regulations, cleaning/sanitizing methods, insurances and permits, potential scenarios and fees. Additionally, local zoning laws should be kept in mind when renting for larger gatherings.
Checking Local Zoning Laws and Agreements
Once you’ve called the owner to vet their business, it’s important to be mindful of local zoning laws and agreements in terms of renting a bounce house. Different locales may have different regulations and rules governing bounce house rentals, so it is useful to verify with your city or county that what you plan on doing does not violate any laws or regulations. It’s also good to be aware of any liens or restrictions that might exist on the land you plan on hosting the bounce house rental.
The debate as to whether such policies can potentially stifle innovative ideas, creativity and progress still rages on. Supporters of this argument state that laws and rules are necessary in order to ensure safety, and can even help provide certain advantages over competitors. At the same time, others argue that these rules could potentially hinder new forms of entrepreneurship by burdening them with red tape and other bureaucratic restrictions; thereby stifling potential competition within this industry.
Overall, making sure your rental is compliant with local zoning laws and agreements is essential for everyone involved: the customer, the business owner, the venue space provider and all attendees. Ensuring that proper permits are present can help prevent mishaps down the line if something were to go wrong with the event. The last thing anyone wants is to run into any legal issues due to negligence in verifying compliance with local zoning laws and agreements.
To ensure a successful event with a safe and enjoyable experience for all involved, it’s important also to make sure that proper liability insurance has been taken out when renting a bounce house. Taking all these steps will ensure that everyone enjoys their time together with no unexpected worries or troubles arising from non-compliance with local regulations.
Liability Insurance for Renting Bounce Houses
Now that you have checked the local zoning laws and agreements, it is crucial to make sure that your bounce house rental includes liability insurance. Depending on who you rent from, liability insurance may be included in the total cost of renting the bounce house. It is important to ask these questions before signing any waivers or agreements to ensure that you are covered if anything were to happen on the day of set-up.
When discussing liability insurance for bounce houses, we must consider both sides of the argument. Some would argue that this type of insurance is necessary because it protects both parties in case of a freak accident or unexpected injury. On the other hand, some would say that renting a bounce house should already contain safety risks and precautions assigned in the agreement and so additional insurance is not necessary.
There have been several court settlements in support of having liability insurance in place when renting a bounce house, such as "Smith vs. Moonwalk Rental Company" where Smith was awarded $75,000 after her daughter was severely injured on a rented bounce house with no insurance protection in place. This settlement demonstrates how important it is to have liability insurance when renting a bounce house regardless of what might be outlined in the original agreement.
Having adequate liability insurance for your bounce house will provide peace of mind for everyone involved on the day of set-up and show that all possible safety precautions were taken into account. With this knowledge, you can now proceed to the next stage: understanding how much liability insurance costs.
- According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, an estimated 19,000 people are sent to the emergency room for inflatable ride injuries each year.
- A study published in 2019 found that the most common cause of inflatable ride accidents were related to user behavior, such as users not following directions or exceeding the manufacturer’s suggested number of users.
- According to a survey of 13 states conducted in 2021, only 8 states had regulatory oversight in place for rental bounce houses and similar inflatable rides.
How Much Does Liability Insurance Cost?
When considering renting a bounce house, there is the important question of how much liability insurance will cost. Liability insurance coverage can vary widely, so it is important to research the market rate in your specific area and compare prices from multiple companies if possible. Generally speaking, rates tend to be proportional to the size of the bounce house, its weight capacity, and other features. Additional factors such as rental duration and rental location can also influence cost calculations.
Those looking for bounce house rental insurance may also want to consider “inflatables rider” policies that cover a range of inflatable attractions including bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses, and more. Keep in mind that properly insured rental businesses often offer all-inclusive packages, so if you plan to rent one inflatable attraction at a time without having to worry about multiple days or occasions then this option may be a better choice. Furthermore, some operators are willing to include liability insurance in their already-established prices either resulting in no additional premium or only a modest extra cost.
No matter what route you decide to take when renting an inflatable attraction, it's important that you protect yourself and the children who will use the bounce house with adequate liability protection. While the exact costs will depend on your exact circumstances, budgeting ahead of time and doing your research can help keep your expenses within reason while still providing ample coverage. With the right approach in place, you can feel secure when it comes time for operation of your rented bounce house on your property.
Rules for Operating a Bounce House on Your Property
Operating a bounce house on your property can be an exciting and financially beneficial experience for many. However, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations associated with such activities in your local jurisdiction, as they can vary significantly from area to area. In some locations, there may be restrictions on the size of the bounce house and/or the amount of users allowed inside at one time. Required safety equipment such as mats or padding may also need to be provided. Additionally, operators should take into account local weather forecasts and other potential factors beyond their control that could influence the safe operation of the bounce house.
On the other hand, having a clearly outlined set of operating rules established by a reliable source can help provide inspectors and customers alike with peace of mind that the rental is being handled responsibly and safely. Rules could include guidelines on material upkeep (such as frequently cleaning any surfaces that will come in contact with users) or procedures to follow in the event certain safety issues arise. By abiding by a set of agreed-upon procedures, operators can help ensure that guests have an enjoyable experience without compromising safety standards.
For those planning to rent out bounce houses, taking the time to research applicable regulations and establish appropriate rules for operating on one’s property can make all the difference for ensuring that rental experiences are both safe and successful. With proper application of these steps, people renting out bounce houses have everything they need to ensure smooth operations from start to finish. And now, it's time to discuss how best to keep children safe when enjoying a bounce house!
Keeping Children Safe When Enjoying a Bounce House
When children are enjoying the use of a bounce house, safety needs to be a priority. Injuries from using bounce houses have been a concern for parents for years, with both sides of the argument debating the issue frequently. While there is evidence that suggests bounce houses can be a safe activity for kids, there is also evidence revealing many potentially hazardous issues.
On one side of the argument, it has been suggested that injuries from bounce houses are uncommon and that in most cases, children can enjoy them without incident. This side refers to recent research which shows only around 100 documented cases of childhood injuries resulting from bounce houses each year in the United States. Similarly, regarding inflatable toys like twisty slides and water slides, the American Society of Clinical Pediatrics reported in 2016 that fewer than 1000 incidents were logged annually—a surprisingly low number given such products’ popularity amongst children. Although these numbers may seem concerning because they reveal some potential dangers associated with bounce house usage, they do not amount to an overly worrying problem given the high numbers of kids playing in bounce houses on a daily basis Without reasonable doubt this side of the argument proposes that with consistent supervision just as any other play activity so should be expected when using a bounce house then it is relatively safe for children to enjoy.
On the other side however, other studies suggest that approximately 31 children per day suffer an injury due to a malfunction or inexperience when operating rental equipment such as a bouncy castle or obstacle course . This report points out that some operators fail to follow safety regulations that ensure proper placement and setup, which can lead to serious consequences like blunt force injuries if someone falls off the slide or out of the bouncing area due to miscalculations by an adult. Moreover, failure to remove hazards such as stones and nails within vicinity of where it will be erected or incorrect anchoring techniques by less experienced vendors are apparently frequently found during inspection reports, causing more risk of damage or harm to users than intended.
Therefore it is important for parents and caretakers to closely review all safety precautions before renting a bounce house and ensuring that no sharp objects are present during setup and use; while supervising during use also paying attention to opportunities for risk reduction by adhering to recommended age limits and size restrictions as well warn each user against trying risky stunts inside directly below exit openings like jumping out of entrance doorways etc. Ultimately these concerns must be taken into consideration when selecting an operator and establishing rules for your particular bounce house activity.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
Are there any safety precautions I should take when renting a bounce house?
Yes, there are some important safety precautions to consider when renting a bounce house. First and foremost, it's a good idea to make sure the rental company is insured so you and your guests are fully covered in case of an accident. Check with the rental provider to verify the age range of children allowed to use the bounce house – this will help you ensure any young kids don’t get hurt or overwhelmed. Lastly, always be mindful of the number of people that can safely fit in the bounce house at one time and make sure not to exceed that limit. Taking these extra steps will help guarantee a safe and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.
Are there any special regulations that apply to renting a bounce house?
Yes, there are certain regulations that apply to renting a bounce house. Depending on the city or state in which you reside, there may be certain license or permit requirements needed to legally operate a bounce house rental. Additionally, there are safety-related rules and regulations to consider when operating the inflatable. These range from the age of the participants and their size, to the number of occupants allowed at one time inside the inflatable and even require inspection of the equipment prior to each use. Some jurisdictions also require that bounce houses be placed off public sidewalks and streets as well as away from power lines and other structures. Lastly, make sure you have sufficient liability insurance in place in case of any unexpected accidents.
What items should I include in a rental agreement for a bounce house?
When it comes to rental agreements for bounce houses, it is important to include all the necessary details. These include the date and time of the rental, any applicable delivery/pick up charges, how long the rental will last, and the terms and conditions of use (such as no alcohol, smoking or eating inside the bounce house). It is also important to note who will be responsible for set-up and take-down of the bounce house, as well as any applicable fees associated with additional services requested. Lastly, it is essential to include the total payment due before the start of the rental period along with any refunds or cancellation policies in place. Ensuring that these items are included in a rental agreement can help ensure that both parties involved have a mutually beneficial experience.