Bounce houses are fun, but safety comes first. Did you know that between 2015 and 2019, bounce houses caused over 82,000 injuries in the U.S., averaging 16,550 injuries annually? The good news: 95% of these incidents can be avoided with proper supervision.
Here’s what you need to know to keep kids safe while they play:
- Setup: Choose a flat, debris-free location (grass is ideal), secure the bounce house with stakes or weights, and ensure proper inflation.
- Supervision: Assign alert adults (not teens) to monitor play, enforce rules, and manage capacity. Group children by age and size to reduce risks.
- Rules: No shoes, flips, roughhousing, or climbing on walls. Stick to manufacturer weight and age limits.
- Weather: Avoid use during high winds (over 15 mph), rain, or extreme heat.
- Emergency Plan: Be ready to handle deflation, injuries, or sudden weather changes with a clear response strategy.
Proper preparation, active monitoring, and strict rule enforcement make bounce houses safer and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Pre-Event Setup and Preparation
Setting up a bounce house properly is essential to ensure everyone’s safety. In fact, a professional installation can prevent up to 90% of bounce house accidents.
Picking the Right Location
Start by selecting a flat, debris-free surface to provide a stable foundation. Avoid areas with slopes or dips, as these can affect the bounce house’s stability.
Pay attention to overhead clearance as well. Make sure there’s plenty of space away from power lines, tree branches, and any other obstacles that could pose a hazard.
The type of ground matters, too. Grass is the best option since it provides natural cushioning and allows for secure anchoring. If you’re setting up on concrete or asphalt, use protective tarps and alternative anchoring methods like weights. Steep inclines should always be avoided, as they can destabilize the structure.
You’ll also need access to electricity for the blower. Most commercial blowers run on standard 110V outlets. To ensure consistent airflow, use heavy-duty, short extension cords.
Don’t forget to consider the weather. Choose a spot with natural shade or prepare to use shade structures to prevent the surface from overheating. Always check the forecast ahead of time, and avoid setting up during high winds, thunderstorms, or other harsh conditions.
Checking Bounce House Equipment
Inspecting the equipment is a two-step process: before inflation and after setup is complete.
Start by thoroughly examining the site. Clear the area of rocks, sticks, or any debris that could create hazards. Check the bounce house itself for any damage, such as rips, holes, or loose seams, especially around entrances and key stress points.
Once inflated, the bounce house should feel firm and evenly pressurized, with no sagging areas. Under-inflation can create uneven surfaces, which can lead to injuries. For multi-day events, conduct regular checks throughout. This includes inspecting seams, verifying anchor points, testing the blower, and ensuring entrance and exit areas remain safe.
Setup Best Practices
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines closely for a safe and secure installation. On grass, use 18-inch stakes to anchor the unit, and leave plenty of clearance around it. For hard surfaces, place a protective tarp underneath and secure the bounce house with weights instead of stakes.
During inflation, double-check that the blower is securely connected and that all attachments are tight to ensure even inflation. Before letting anyone use the bounce house, perform a final safety check. Confirm that all anchor points are secure, the blower is functioning properly, and the entrance and exit areas are free of hazards.
"Professional installation isn’t just a recommendation – it’s a crucial safety requirement that can prevent 90% of bounce house accidents." – Safety Expert, Bounce Horizon
Once the setup is complete, the next step is establishing clear supervision roles and ensuring active monitoring during the event.
Supervisor Roles and Duties
The right supervision can mean the difference between a safe, enjoyable bounce house experience and a dangerous situation. Keeping a close eye on the inflatable at all times is absolutely essential.
Assigning Adult Supervisors
Assign adults – not teenagers – as dedicated supervisors to watch over the bounce house without interruption. These individuals should be alert, capable decision-makers who understand the rules and capacity limits of the inflatable.
Supervisors need to know how many children can safely play in the bounce house at once and must be comfortable enforcing those limits, even if it means addressing pushback from kids or parents. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 18,000 injuries were reported in 2012 related to bounce houses and similar inflatables. A 2018 study highlighted that injuries often result from mixing children of different ages and sizes or from inadequate supervision. This data clearly shows how important it is to assign the right people to this role.
Once reliable supervisors are in place, the next step is ensuring they actively monitor the bounce house during use.
Active Monitoring Methods
Supervisors should position themselves at the entrance of the bounce house, facing inward. This allows them to keep an eye on everything happening inside while also managing who enters and exits.
It’s vital that supervisors stay focused – no distractions from cell phones or lengthy conversations. Regular headcounts are a must. Grouping children by age and size can also help reduce the risk of collisions and injuries.
Periodic reminders about safety rules help keep everyone on the same page. As Dr. Sarah Johnson, a Pediatric Safety Specialist at Children’s National Hospital, explains:
"Proper safety protocols in bounce houses can prevent up to 95% of common injuries. It’s crucial to follow manufacturer guidelines and maintain constant supervision."
Rules and Emergency Procedures
Beyond active monitoring, supervisors need to enforce rules and have a clear emergency plan in place to ensure everyone’s safety.
Supervisors should monitor play to prevent roughhousing and make sure children of different ages and weights use the bounce house appropriately. This includes watching entrance and exit points, enforcing weight and age restrictions, and ensuring the inflatable stays properly inflated throughout the event. Weather conditions should also be monitored closely, with supervisors ready to evacuate the bounce house if necessary.
An emergency plan is essential for handling situations like rapid deflation or sudden weather changes. This plan should cover injury management, safe evacuation, and contacting emergency services. Supervisors should have a list of emergency contacts, including nearby medical facilities and insurance information, and designate someone to handle any injuries or accidents. All supervisors must be trained on the emergency action plan to ensure quick and effective responses when needed.
Safe Play During the Event
Once the bounce house is set up and supervisors are ready, ensuring safe play comes down to enforcing rules, managing the number of participants, and being prepared for emergencies. Consistent rule enforcement minimizes the risk of injuries, creating a safer environment for everyone. Start these safety measures as soon as children begin playing to maintain order and security.
Setting and Enforcing Rules
Shoes off, pockets empty. Children must remove their shoes, glasses, and jewelry before entering. Supervisors should also check for sharp objects in pockets to avoid accidents. Place an adult at the entrance to ensure these rules are followed as each child enters the inflatable.
Strictly enforce the no roughhousing rule. Prohibit flips, diving, wrestling, piling, drop kicks, or any other rough play. Children should avoid pushing others, bouncing against walls, or climbing on the inflatable’s walls, bumpers, roof, or netting. Running or jumping onto or off the structure is also not allowed.
Keep the inflatable free of slippery substances like baby oil or soap, and avoid using water on inflatables meant for dry use. For units with slides, children must slide down feet-first, one at a time, and wait until the landing area is clear before sliding. Additionally, children should steer clear of entrances, exits, and the sides or walls while bouncing.
Managing Capacity Limits
Avoid overcrowding. Stick to the maximum capacity listed in the operator’s manual and never exceed it. Most bounce houses are designed to accommodate children weighing around 75 lbs each, so always follow the manufacturer’s weight guidelines.
To reduce the risk of collisions, group children by size and age. If you’re managing a large group, rotate playtime in short intervals (e.g., five minutes per group), ensuring the current group exits completely before the next group enters. This helps maintain safe numbers and prevents gradual overcrowding.
| Safety Category | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| Age & Weight Limits | • Children under 6: Use dedicated units only • Max weight per child: 75 lbs • Follow total weight limits from manufacturer |
| Supervision Ratio | • 1 adult per 4-6 children • Constant monitoring required • Trained supervisor recommended |
| Weather Restrictions | • Wind speed: Below 15 mph • No use during rain • Temperature: Below 90°F recommended |
Sticking to capacity limits not only prevents overcrowding but also allows for quicker response times in case of emergencies.
Emergency Response Steps
Be weather-aware. If it starts raining, lightning strikes, thunder rolls, or winds exceed 20 mph, immediately remove all children and deflate the bounce house. As CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle cautions:
"If a bounce house is not properly secured to the ground, a gust of wind can send it airborne with children inside and the result can be tragic."
If the inflatable begins to deflate during play, stop all activity right away. Instruct the children to sit down and guide them out carefully – do not allow bouncing on a deflating structure.
Always have a first aid kit and emergency contact information readily available. Know the nearest medical facility’s location. Establish a clear communication plan so every supervisor understands their role during an emergency. For serious injuries, call 911 immediately. Your emergency plan should outline when to shut down the inflatable, how to move children to safety, and the steps for contacting emergency services. Practicing these procedures with your team before the event ensures everyone is ready to act quickly and confidently.
Post-Event Safety and Cleanup
Once the event wraps up, taking the right steps for safe exits, equipment checks, and cleanup is crucial. These actions not only ensure the safety of participants but also keep your bounce house in great condition for future use.
Monitoring Safe Exits
Supervise the exit area and guide proper techniques. Jumping Celebrations emphasizes, "As the adult supervisor, you should position yourself in close proximity of the entrance to the ride and be prepared to assist riders when they enter/exit the ride". Encourage children to crawl or scoot out instead of jumping, and make sure the entrance and exit areas stay clear to avoid tripping or collisions. Control the flow of children leaving the bounce house to prevent overcrowding, and remind them to avoid rough play near the exit.
Additionally, ensure that an emergency deflation plan is ready and understood.
Equipment Inspection and Packing
After playtime ends, switch your focus to checking and storing the inflatable properly.
Inspect for damage or debris. Look over all surfaces, paying extra attention to high-use spots like the entrance, exit, and bouncing zones. Check for tears, stressed seams, or loose stitching. Examine Velcro flaps, deflation zippers, and safety netting for wear or damage. Also, check for any loose or broken parts that may have come off during the event.
If you find any damage, address it immediately. Never use damaged equipment until it’s been repaired.
Clean the bounce house thoroughly. Use mild soap and water to clean the surface, rinse it well, and dry it with towels or air drying. Avoid harsh chemicals that could harm the material. For water-themed inflatables, drain all water right after use and apply a disinfectant that’s safe for the material to stop mold or mildew from forming.
Deflate and store properly. Turn off the blower, open the deflation zippers, and gently press out any remaining air. Fold the bounce house carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions. Roll it tightly and store it in a clean, dry bag in a cool, moisture-free area.
Site Cleanup
Tidy up the area around the bounce house. Remove all trash and debris, as well as stakes, sandbags, or any anchoring materials. If ground stakes were used, fill in any holes to prevent tripping hazards.
Restore the site to its original state. Address any issues with the rental equipment or property damage that may have occurred. Take photos if necessary, and if you rented the bounce house from a company like Bouncy Rentals, notify them right away to report any problems. This ensures the equipment is properly maintained for future events.
Conclusion
Keeping celebrations safe and enjoyable requires active supervision and thoughtful preparation. Melissa Luxton, trauma outreach and injury prevention coordinator at Banner – University Medicine, highlights the risks involved: "Injuries can range from minor scrapes, sprains and bruises to more serious issues like fractures, muscle strains, concussions and even paralysis". With over 30 children treated daily for related injuries, the importance of safety can’t be overstated.
Proper preparation is key to avoiding serious accidents. For instance, bounce houses should never be used in winds exceeding 15–20 mph, and supervisors must be at least 16 years old and well-versed in safety protocols. Once everything is set up, consistent and attentive supervision is non-negotiable.
During the event, active monitoring ensures rules are enforced and risks are minimized. Simple guidelines like removing shoes, avoiding flips, and steering clear of climbing on walls can significantly reduce the chance of injury. Grouping participants by size and age adds another layer of safety.
Even after the fun is over, post-event checks are crucial. Overseeing safe exits, inspecting the equipment, and cleaning up properly help maintain the bounce house’s safety for future use.
At Bouncy Rentals, we prioritize safety without compromising fun. Our equipment is thoroughly sanitized, fully insured, and paired with clear safety instructions and professional setup. When careful preparation combines with active supervision, bounce houses become the centerpiece of joyful, worry-free celebrations.
FAQs
What safety rules should I follow when supervising a bounce house?
To keep everyone safe and ensure a good time, here are some essential safety tips for supervising a bounce house:
- Always have an adult on duty to keep an eye on things at all times.
- Set clear rules: no rough play, flips, wrestling, or climbing on the walls.
- Make sure everyone removes shoes, glasses, and any sharp items before entering.
- Keep track of how many people are inside and stick to the bounce house’s capacity and weight limits.
Before the fun begins, take a moment to inspect the bounce house. Look for any signs of damage, confirm it’s securely anchored, and check that the seams and mesh are in good condition. A little extra attention upfront can go a long way in avoiding accidents and keeping the fun rolling!
What’s the best way to group kids by age and size to ensure bounce house safety?
Grouping kids by age and size is key to keeping everyone safe in a bounce house. This simple step reduces the chances of accidents caused by uneven size differences. Always keep an eye on the group and make sure only children of similar size are bouncing together. Setting clear rules and staying attentive can make the experience both fun and safe for all.
What should I include in an emergency plan for supervising a bounce house, and how can I ensure supervisors are prepared to respond quickly?
An emergency plan for supervising bounce houses should cover the essentials: a first aid kit that’s easy to grab, clear steps for dealing with emergencies like deflation or sudden bad weather, and knowing where the nearest phone or emergency contact is. Supervisors also need to stick to safety protocols, like maintaining a good supervision ratio (e.g., one adult for every eight kids) and keeping an eye out for any risky behavior.
To respond quickly when needed, make sure all supervisors are trained on safety procedures, run regular safety drills, and set up clear ways to communicate. These steps help lower risks and keep the experience safe and fun for everyone involved.
