Bounce House Safety Checklist: Before, During & After Your Party
Bounce houses are a ton of fun – and with a proper setup, constant adult supervision and a few simple rules, they stay that way. This checklist walks you through what to do before, during and after your event. It is general good-practice advice: always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and the directions of your rental company, which is responsible for the equipment, its setup and the rules that apply in your state.
Before the party: ask the rental company
A reputable company will be happy to answer these questions when you send your inquiry. If the answers are vague, keep looking.
- Do you carry general liability insurance, and can you send a certificate of insurance (COI)? Parks, schools, churches and HOAs often require one naming them as additional insured
- Are your inflatables inspected and maintained as required in our state? Some states regulate inflatable amusement devices – rules differ from state to state
- Will your crew set up, anchor and test the unit and show us how to operate it?
- What are the manufacturer’s limits for wind, number of riders and age or height?
- Do you provide written safety rules and the operating instructions?
- What is your policy if the weather turns bad?
Before the party: plan the spot
The right location matters as much as the right inflatable. Ask the company for the exact footprint – the unit itself plus room for the blower and a clear safety zone around it.
- Choose a flat, level area – a slope can make the unit lean and kids slide toward one side
- Grass is ideal; remove sticks, rocks, pet waste and toys before delivery
- Hard surfaces (concrete, asphalt) usually need sandbags or water weights and a protective tarp – tell the company in advance
- Keep well away from pools, fences, trees, overhead power lines, fire pits, grills and the street
- Mark sprinkler heads and buried lines; for staking into the ground, the company may ask you to call 811 so utilities can be marked
- Check the delivery path: gate width, steps and the distance from the truck to the setup spot
Power: keep the blower running safely
The blower has to run the entire time the bounce house is in use. Ask the company how many outlets or circuits it needs. Many companies recommend a dedicated circuit and a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet, and some don’t allow household extension cords – they bring their own heavy-duty cords or a generator.
- Use only the cords and outlets the company approves
- Don’t share the blower circuit with a popcorn machine, cotton candy machine or other high-draw appliance
- Route cords so nobody trips over them and keep connections out of puddles
- Keep the blower intake clear of grass clippings, leaves and tarps – and keep kids away from it
During the party: supervision and rules
A responsible adult should be at the bounce house the entire time it is in use – not just glancing over from the grill. That adult enforces the rules and reacts right away if something goes wrong. If the blower stops or the unit starts to deflate, calmly get everyone out right away.
- Stick to the manufacturer’s maximum number of riders – fewer is better
- Separate age and size groups: little kids and big kids should take turns, not jump together
- Shoes off; glasses, jewelry, hair clips and anything in pockets out
- No food, drinks, gum, face paint, silly string or sharp objects inside
- No flips, wrestling, rough play or climbing on the walls
- Slide feet first and sitting down, one at a time
- Keep the entrance clear and the landing mat in place
Weather: wind is the biggest risk
Inflatables must only be used within the wind limit stated in the manufacturer’s instructions. Check the forecast the day before and the morning of your event, and keep an eye on the sky during the party. If gusts pick up, clear the unit right away – don’t wait for the limit to be reached. Ask your rental company what their wind limit is and when they will refuse to set up.
- Gusty wind: get everyone out and turn off the blower only as instructed by the company
- Thunder or lightning: clear the unit and move everyone indoors
- Rain: pause use – wet vinyl is slippery – and follow the company’s instructions about deflating
- Heat: vinyl can get hot in direct sun; take breaks, offer water outside the unit and consider shade
After the party
- Get everyone out before the blower is turned off
- Don’t try to move, deflate or fold the unit yourself unless the company has told you to
- Remove trash and toys from inside so the unit comes back clean
- Report any tears, damage or injuries to the rental company right away
- Keep kids away while the crew takes the unit down and loads it
Who is responsible for what?
HOPS24 is a free marketplace: you send your inquiry directly to local rental companies, and the rental agreement is between you and the provider. The provider is responsible for the condition of its equipment, proper setup, insurance, permits and complying with your state’s rules for inflatable amusement devices. As the host, you are responsible for supervision and for following the rules and instructions you receive.
Frequently asked questions
Does a bounce house need to be supervised?
Yes. A responsible adult should be right at the bounce house the whole time it is in use, enforcing the rules and ready to get everyone out if the blower stops or the weather changes.
At what wind speed should you stop using a bounce house?
The manufacturer’s operating instructions set the limit, and it can differ from unit to unit. Ask your rental company for the limit of your specific unit – and if it is gusty, clear the bounce house early rather than late.
Can a bounce house be set up on concrete?
Often yes, but it needs a different anchoring method, such as sandbags or water weights, and usually a tarp underneath. Tell the rental company about the surface when you send your inquiry.
What is a certificate of insurance?
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a document from the rental company’s insurer showing that the company carries liability coverage. Venues like parks, schools and HOAs often ask for one, sometimes naming them as additional insured.
Find the right rental company
On HOPS24 you send your inquiry directly to the rental company – free and without obligation. Price, contract and payment are agreed directly with them.
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All prices are non-binding ballpark figures and vary by region, season and rental company. This information does not replace the manufacturer's operating instructions or legal advice.