Bouncy castles: the safe way to bounce

Before you book a bouncy castle, ask:

Do you have the space?

• You want at least a metre on either side of the bouncy castle, and two metres behind it. You'll also need plenty of room in front of the bouncy castle to let people in and out.

Is the bouncy castle supplier reputable?

• Most bouncy castle companies conform to satisfactory safety standards, but choosing one which has passed the British Inflatable Hirers Association (BIHA) operators test helps ensure your safety.
• Ask if the bouncy castle supplier has adequate liability insurance: if it doesn't, look elsewhere.

Once the bouncy castle arrives, ask:

Where will you put the bouncy castle?

• Think carefully about where to position the bouncy castle. If you are putting the bouncy castle indoors, it's very important that it doesn't block any emergency exits.

Take extra care with children

• Children get very hot and out of breath when playing on bouncy castles. If you're setting up indoors, don't forget to ensure there's adequate ventilation in your venue to prevent children overheating.
• Make sure the bouncy castle supplier provides plenty of mats to place at the entrance to the bouncy castle. Children (and adults) often bounce out onto the floor by mistake, so it's vital that this area is as padded as possible.

Setting up your bouncy castle

• Try to give yourself time between when the bouncy castle is due to arrive and when your party guests are due. Setting up can take a while.
• Ask the bouncy castle supplier if they provide a complete set-up service and, of course, a take-down service too. If they don't, be sure to find out exactly what you will need to set up the castle.
• Many (usually bigger) bouncy castles use generators to run pumps that keep the structure inflated. Be sure to find out any special power and ventilation requirements before you book your bouncy castle.

Put someone in charge

• The walls of the bouncy castle should be tall enough to prevent people climbing up and falling out. If you've booked a children's bouncy castle then keep teenagers and adults off, however tempting a bounce may seem to them!
• Every bouncy castle has a load limit—the maximum number of people who can safely play on it at once. It's important someone is responsible for finding out from the supplier what this limit is and making sure it's adhered to.