How Does Inclement Weather Affect My Bounce House Rental?

This question comes up whenever the local weather forecast is predicting inclement weather. We'll address the two most common weather concerns when renting an inflatable, rain and wind.

Rain
The only time rain is a real problem is when there is lightning and thunder present. Although no harm should come from lightning as the units are grounded, we want to play it safe and recommend that the kids not use the bounce house when there is ligntning and thunder. Otherwise, the decision to use a bounce house in the rain comes down to a matter of comfort. Is it too cold? Is it simply raining too hard? In some cases during warmer weather, a nice rainfall can be refreshing and fun for the kids. However, we want to use caution as the floor of the bounce house can become slippery when wet.

Large bounce house setup in the rain.

Q. What does rain water do to the bounce house? A. It gets it wet and nothing more. The blower is made for outdoor use and can be rained on for hours without issue. The inflatable structure itself does not provide "shelter" from the rain, as rain will get in through the side windows as well as up from the seams as wet air is being sucked into the unit by the blower. We like to say that when it is raining outside, it's raining inside too!

Q. Will the rental company setup in the rain? A. Of course it depends on the policies of the individual company, but Austin Bounce House Rentals does deliver rain or shine and gives you up until the time the driver arrives on the day of your event to cancel due to inclement weather. We've found that most companies will deliver in light rain, and most customers will accept delivery in mild rainy conditions.

Wind
Wind is a significantly bigger threat than rain, or just about anything else in terms of the safety of the participants of a bounce house. The typical bounce house structure is anywhere from 13'x13'12' to 24'x20'x18' in size. As you can imagine, and have possibly witnessed on the news, that a structure of this nature will act as a "sail" in windy conditions. The question is, is the "sail" anchored well enough to endure windy conditions without blowing free of its anchors and tumbling across the yard or worse, flying up into the air? There are two major preventions of this horrible calamidy starting with a strict "no 15mph (or above) sustained wind setup" policy. No company should ever setup an inflatable in conditions where the wind is blowing at 15mph or more sustained, period. Also, units that are setup in wide open areas where there are no structures blocking wind gusts can be dangerous. The second prevention measure is to properly secure the inflatable to the ground. It is important that the installer uses 18" or longer ground anchors at all corners and anchor points on the unit. For a standard square bounce house, there are 4 anchor points, one at each corner. On larger units such as giant slides, there are additional anchor points midway up on the sides in order to prevent sway. Properly securing and anchoring an inflatable in conditions that don't exceed 15mph sustained winds, will result in a perfectly safe installation with regard to wind.

Staking down a bounce house.

Additionally, manufactures of inflatables used in the USA are required to meet certain strict standards and have their new designs inspected by a Professional Engineer. The PE will inspect the unit structurally and materially for any risks that may be presented to the user. If the unit passes, certain restictions or limitations may be placed on that unit requiring a notification on the front of that unit. Always take note of any restrictions and rules posted on an inflatable prior to allowing your children to particpate.

In conclusion, bounce houses can be used in inclement weather safely if applying the correct knowledge to the situation. No sustained winds of 15mph or over. No lightning and thunder. Always rent from an established company with proper state and local certifications, insurance and training program for their installers. Always inspect the installation of an inflatable to ensure that all corners are secured properly. And finally, heed any safety warnings and rules posted on the inflatable prior to use. We all want the kids and their parents to have fond memories of their bounce house experience, and with a bit of precaution, every bounce house party can be safe, fun and a great memory for all!

For further information and details about renting a bounce house for a party, go to: http://AustinBounceHouse.Rentals If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact us here: austinbouncehouserentals@gmail.com or by calling (512) 765-6071.

Thanks for reading our article and we'll see you at the party!

3 Reasons to Rent a Bounce House for a Party

So you're having a party for your 2-14 year old kiddo eh? There are lots of options out there, but right now, I'm going to give you 3 really great reasons to rent a bounce house for that party. Read on!

1. Affordability - Compared to play gyms and pizza parlors, you'll spend significantly less renting a bounce house for your backyard. Austin Bounce House Rentals has bounce houses starting at just $99 including delivery to most locations!

13'x13' Bouncy Castle - $99 for 4 Hour Rental

2. Simplicity - Typically, the bounce house is the main attraction at the party and that's all you'll need for entertainment. Add some pizzas with plates, cups & napkins and you're done! Ordering is a snap and doesn't require a deposit or credit card.

3. Safety/Health - A modern and properly installed bounce house is a safe and healthy way for the kiddos to get rowdy and blow off some steam. As we know too well, our kids have way too much energy, so it's a welcome site to see a safe, clean, healthy and fun bounce house for them to exhaust themselves in being setup for the party! In a day and age where kids can spend hours in one place staring at a screen, it's good to know that they'll always go outside to bounce :)

I hope this helped, and of course we've got many more than 3 great reasons why you should rent a bounce house for your next party, but we'll have to save those for next time! For further information and details about renting a bounce house for a party, go to: http://AustinBounceHouse.Rentals If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact us here: austinbouncehouserentals@gmail.com or by calling (512) 765-6071.

Thanks for reading our article and we'll see you at the party!

5 Things You Should Know Before Renting a Bounce House for a Party

Considering renting a bounce house for your child's next party? Here are 5 things you should know before placing that order:

Measuring is always a great idea!

1. Location - Where will the party be held? The most common location for an inflatable bounce house rental is a single family home backyard. Alternatively, setups are easily done at apartment buildings, condos and parks. Keep in mind that the inflatable rental company will most likely require you to be at the location the entire time the inflatable is there, so if your event is not at your home, be very specific about the timing and be open to being flexible with arriving early and staying late in order to accommodate the logistics of the rental company. Most companies do not want to hold their customers hostage in these cases, and they do a good job of mitigating it, but a realistic expectation of timing will help keep the stress levels in check on party day!

Start small to leave yourself room for the big milestones!

2. Price - How much are you prepared to spend? Most folks realize that renting a bounce house and ordering a few pizzas is significantly cheaper than the all-in-one indoor facilities. And, nobody gets kicked out after 2 hours, unless you want them to be! A bounce house or inflatable water slide is all you need for a successful party in most cases. There are rental companies who try to get you roped into a package including a bunch of stuff you may not want, but unless you desire to "blow it out", a simple affordable bounce house is all you'll need. Most party rental companies offer a variety of inflatables escalating in cost such as small bouncers, large bouncers, bounce/slide combos, large slides, water slides, obstacle courses and interactive games such as carnival games, pedestal joust, bouncy boxing and more. The prices can range from $99 to many hundreds of dollars depending on how big you want to go. Keep in mind that rental prices typically apply to a limited amount of time with availability in a certain delivery area. For example, Austin Bounce House Rentals offers a 4 hours standard rental with a 10% increase for up to 8 hours and a flat $25 for overnight. Delivery is included in all of Greater Austin and surrounding communities. Many rental companies have a similar service, but the hours and delivery areas vary, so be sure to inquire about your specific needs before committing.

3. Safety / Appropriateness for Age Group - Consider your age group carefully and ask the rental

Kids will line up if you choose right!

company for their recommendations. In the party rental business, inflatable rental companies are well versed in matching their inventory items with the customer's needs. For toddlers thru age 6 years, we recommend sticking with a basic bounce house or bounce/slide combo. In the Summer, a small water slide with pool is appropriate. In the midrange of 6-10 years, combos are all the rage, and with older kids thru teenagers, giant slides, obstacle courses and interactive games are popular. Keep in mind that no matter which inflatable you choose and what age your invitees are, an adult must be present at all times while the inflatable is in use. Bouncers are NOT babysitters!

4. Date & Times - Weekdays are cheaper than weekends due to the economic laws of supply and demand. Of course during the school year, you'll want to have your event on a weekend or vacation break if you want your guests to show up. The time of day for your event is determined by availability of guests, the type of inflatable, your own general preferences and weather/temperature conditions throughout the day. If you're renting a water slide for example, high-noon is great. But if you are renting a bounce house, you may want a shadier part of the day. Inflatables can be booked year 'round and even in cold condition, kids will have a great time as the act of bouncing is very aerobic and will keep them comfortable. We advise that you plan ahead and place your order 3-5 weeks before your event date if possible. This will ensure that the item you desire is available, and that you give your guests enough time to "save the date". Most party rental companies ask for a deposit or credit card to hold a date, however, Austin Bounce House Rentals requires no deposit or credit card to make a reservation.

5. Don't Stress Out! - I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said "if you fail to plan, then plan to fail". Good planning goes a long way in reducing stress and we have an acronym to help you out here: PLAN (Prepare by selecting a party location, date & time. Look at your options of party rental companies and their offerings to choose the best rental item for your budget and age group. Action - Place your order then mark it off your to-do-list. Notify the friends, neighbors and relatives with invitations and social media announcements that the party is on!) With a good plan, your stress will be all but non-existent come party time!

For more information on inflatable products and services, visit http://AustinBounceHouse.Rentals About the author: Jeff Roberts has over 28 years of experience in the party rental business and is currently managing a party rental company in Austin Texas.