Bouncy Castle Hire Safety & Supervision Guide
Helping you understand how to supervise and use your inflatable safely throughout your Rugby Inflatables hire.
Safety is an important part of every Rugby Inflatables hire.
We take care of the delivery, installation and initial safety checks, but once the equipment has been handed over, it is important that it remains appropriately supervised and is used in accordance with the safety instructions provided.
This guide explains some of the key responsibilities and safety points to remember while an inflatable is in use.
Important
This page provides general guidance and does not replace the safety instructions provided with your hire, the inflatable's operating requirements or Rugby Inflatables' Terms and Conditions.
1. A Responsible Adult Must Supervise the Inflatable
A responsible adult aged 18 or over must supervise the inflatable while it is being used.
The supervisor should remain in a position where they can properly observe the inflatable and the people using it.
Supervision should be active. The responsible adult needs to be able to intervene if the equipment is being misused, too many users are on the inflatable, unsafe behaviour occurs or another safety concern develops.
2. What Should the Supervisor Look Out For?
The supervising adult should regularly monitor both the users and the inflatable.
Things to watch for include:
- Too many users entering the inflatable at the same time.
- Larger and smaller users being mixed in an unsafe way.
- Rough, dangerous or inappropriate behaviour.
- Users climbing or hanging on areas not intended for play.
- People sitting or obstructing the entrance or exit.
- Shoes, sharp objects or unsuitable items being taken onto the inflatable.
- Changes to the inflatable's inflation or appearance.
- Anything around the setup area that could create a new hazard.
3. Safe Use of the Inflatable
Everyone using the inflatable should follow the safety instructions provided for the equipment.
As a general rule:
- Shoes should be removed before entering.
- Glasses should be removed where appropriate.
- Sharp or hard objects should not be taken onto the inflatable.
- No food, drinks or chewing gum should be taken onto the inflatable.
- No smoking or vaping should take place on or immediately around the equipment.
- Users should not climb on walls, netting or other areas not designed for climbing.
- Somersaults, flips and dangerous play should not be allowed.
- Users should enter and leave using the designated entrance and exit.
4. Keep Users Appropriately Grouped
Significant differences in the size or ability of users can increase the chance of collisions and injuries.
Where necessary, users should be separated into appropriate groups rather than allowing much larger and smaller children to use the inflatable together.
The supervising adult should control the number and grouping of users throughout the hire.
5. Do Not Overload the Inflatable
Every inflatable has operating limits that must be followed.
Do not allow excessive numbers of users onto the inflatable at the same time.
Follow the instructions provided at handover and any information displayed on the inflatable regarding permitted users, height limits or capacity.
6. Face Paint, Silly String & Party Products
We don't normally allow face paint on our inflatables because some paints can permanently stain or damage the material.
Silly string, party sprays, streamers and similar products must not be used on or around our inflatables.
If you're planning face painting or similar entertainment at your event, please speak to us beforehand so the activities can be kept appropriately separated from the inflatable.
7. Keep Food and Drinks Away
Food and drinks should not be consumed on the inflatable.
Apart from the risk of spills and damage, eating while bouncing can create an unnecessary choking risk.
Children should leave the inflatable before eating or drinking and should only return once they have finished.
8. Do Not Move or Alter the Equipment
Once Rugby Inflatables has installed and safety-checked the equipment, it should remain in the position in which it was set up.
Customers and guests should not:
- Move or reposition the inflatable.
- Move, remove or alter anchoring equipment.
- Alter the blower installation.
- Disconnect or modify electrical equipment.
- Cover the blower or restrict its airflow.
- Attempt repairs or modifications to the equipment.
If you believe something needs adjusting, stop use and contact Rugby Inflatables.
9. Keep the Blower Area Clear
The blower supplies continuous airflow to keep the inflatable correctly inflated.
Children and guests should be kept away from the blower, electrical cables and inflation tubes.
Nothing should be placed against the blower or positioned where it could restrict airflow.
10. Weather Safety for Outdoor Hires
Weather conditions must continue to be monitored throughout an outdoor hire.
Inflatable equipment must not be operated when wind or gust conditions exceed the safe operating limit.
Our maximum operating wind speed is 24 mph, although a lower limit may apply where specified for individual equipment.
Weather conditions can change quickly, so supervision should include continued awareness of wind, rain and other developing conditions.
Follow the weather and wind-monitoring instructions supplied by Rugby Inflatables and stop use if conditions become unsafe.
11. Wind Monitoring
For applicable outdoor inflatable hires, Rugby Inflatables provides an anemometer so wind conditions can be monitored during the hire.
Measurements should be taken regularly and whenever weather conditions appear to change.
If the permitted wind limit is reached or exceeded, use of the inflatable must stop and the safety instructions provided with the hire must be followed.
12. Rain and Wet Conditions
Wet inflatable surfaces can become slippery and may make continued use unsafe.
Heavy or persistent rain may also affect the safe operation of the equipment and electrical installation.
If conditions deteriorate during your hire, stop use where necessary and follow the instructions provided by Rugby Inflatables.
13. Keep an Eye on the Setup
The supervising adult should remain alert to any obvious change in the equipment or setup area.
This could include:
- The inflatable appearing softer than normal.
- An inflation tube becoming disturbed.
- A blower stopping or sounding unusual.
- Anchoring equipment becoming disturbed.
- Electrical equipment becoming disconnected.
- A new hazard appearing around the inflatable.
If something doesn't look right, stop use and contact us rather than attempting to alter the setup yourself.
14. What Should I Do If Something Goes Wrong?
If you become concerned about the inflatable, its anchoring, electrical equipment, blower or general safety:
- Stop people using the inflatable.
- Keep users and guests away from the affected equipment.
- Do not attempt to repair or modify the setup yourself.
- Contact Rugby Inflatables for advice.
If there is an immediate emergency involving injury or danger to life, contact the appropriate emergency service.
15. When the Inflatable Is Not Being Used
Children should not be allowed to play around the blower, electrical equipment, anchoring points or other parts of the installation when the inflatable is not in use.
The equipment remains the responsibility of the hirer throughout the agreed hire period and should not be left accessible without appropriate supervision.
16. We'll Explain the Important Information at Handover
Our team will install and check the equipment before it is handed over.
Please make sure a responsible adult is available to receive the equipment and any relevant safety information.
If you're unsure about anything, ask us before we leave. We're always happy to explain how the equipment should be safely supervised and used.
Quick Safety Checklist
✓ A responsible adult aged 18+ is supervising
✓ User numbers are controlled
✓ Larger and smaller users are appropriately managed
✓ Shoes and unsuitable objects are removed
✓ No food or drinks are on the inflatable
✓ No dangerous or rough play is taking place
✓ Children are kept away from the blower and electrical equipment
✓ The inflatable and anchoring have not been moved or altered
✓ Outdoor weather conditions are being monitored
✓ Any safety concern results in use being stopped
Safety & Supervision FAQs
Does an adult need to supervise the inflatable?
Yes. A responsible adult aged 18 or over must appropriately supervise the inflatable while it is being used.
Can children of different ages use it together?
The supervising adult should consider differences in size and ability. Where significant differences could make play unsafe, users should be separated into appropriate groups.
Can children wear face paint?
We don't normally allow face paint on our inflatables because some products can permanently stain or damage the material. Please speak to us before the event if you're planning face painting.
Can we move the inflatable after you leave?
No. The inflatable, anchoring, blower and electrical installation should not be moved or altered after Rugby Inflatables has completed the setup.
What is the maximum safe wind speed?
Our maximum operating wind speed is 24 mph, although individual equipment may have a lower specified limit. The instructions supplied with your hire must always be followed.
What if I'm worried about something during the hire?
Stop use of the inflatable and contact Rugby Inflatables. Do not attempt to repair, move or modify the installation yourself.
Safe Hire = More Time for Fun
Most of these rules are simple, but they're important. Good supervision and sensible use help everyone enjoy the inflatable safely throughout your event.
Have a Safety Question?
If you're unsure about supervision, weather, your setup area or the safe use of one of our inflatables, please contact Rugby Inflatables before your event.
Contact Rugby Inflatables