Can You Use a Bounce House in the Rain?

A bouncy house may take your child’s birthday party to the next level. Bounce houses are becoming more popular at children’s parties, owing to the fact that they are both safer and more fun than trampolines.

It also provides children with a safe haven away from adult supervision (although some bounce houses are so big you could fit in too)

Imagine you’re holding a party, and the weather decides to take the cloud on a rain date. You, of course, are concerned about using a bounce house in the rain, or if your bounce house or other inflatables will get wet.

Of course, a bounce house can get wet and be used in the rain. Bounce houses are typically intended to endure drizzles, plus there are plenty that may be used in the rain or even on water.

But there are safety requirements to follow while using a bounce house, which suggests that severe restrictions must be observed when using a bounce house in the rain.

Why Should You Not Use a Bounce House in the Rain?

The most important reason to avoid utilizing your bounce house in the rain is for your own safety. There are numerous safety concerns with bounce houses that can be avoided if the guidelines are followed. 

A damp bounce house creates ideal conditions for someone to be injured. This is why, during wet weather, most rental companies would cancel.

Because of safety concerns, many insurance companies will not cover the usage of bounce houses when they are wet. The liability is too great to hire them out during inclement weather.

When plastic gets wet, it becomes highly slippery—exactly the components that kids are searching for to make it more daring and exciting.

However, it is our responsibility as adults to consider safety even when it is the last thing on their minds. To keep your children safe, do not allow them to bounce on a damp bounce house at all. 

If the Inflatable bounce house has obstacle courses that are designed to become wet, they should have particular safety precautions integrated into the bounce houses, such as borders on the sides to prevent them from slipping off altogether.

Before permitting water on the inflatable, thoroughly assess the situation. 

How old are the children who will be using it? Is the structure mostly for jumping, similar to a bounce house, or is there a slide with edges with enough space for them to slow down at the bottom?

Allowing water on your inflatable may also need a more stringent limit on the number of children who can use it at the same time. 

Staggering when kids enter a bounce house while it is drizzling outside, for example, can help ensure that there aren’t too many children banging and slipping into each other on the course.

This is an excellent concept on a dry obstacle course, but it is even more important when it is wet. Consider all possibilities while keeping your children’s safety as your main priority.

What Are the Risks of Getting Wet in a Bounce House?

Using a bounce house when it is damp without precautions is definitely not recommended. It should be avoided as much as possible.

This is due to the fact that bounce houses become slippery when wet, increasing the likelihood of individuals falling off the bounce house. This opens the door for an accident to occur.

Second, most bounce houses are powered by electricity to keep the blower running. Because the electric cable and blower are not waterproof like the bounce house material, using such an object in the rain can result in an electrical mishap.

Related read: How Much Power Does a Bounce House Use?

Alternatively, a well-sealed plastic cover can be used to protect the cables and blower.

What if the Blower Gets Wet?

Moisture can cause short-circuits in electrical equipment, so if you’re not careful, you could irreparably harm your electric-powered instruments aka the blower for your bounce house.

Ideally, you should turn off your blower as soon as you detect it’s wet. Most current equipment is designed to not open a circuit until the blower is turned on, but if your machine has a hidden defect, you may be in for a surprise.

What Should You Do if Your Blower Gets Wet?

If you discover that your battery-powered or corded-electric tool has become wet, follow these steps:

1. Unplug the power supply. 
2. If applicable, dry off the batteries.
3. Tilt the tool so that any excess water drains from the chassis. 
4. You need to get all of the “low-hanging” water out of the device so that when you blow dry it, you don’t drive more water into it.
5. Dry the outside surfaces of your equipment with a towel. It’s not strictly necessary, but it should shorten the time it takes to go on to the next phase.
6. (Optional): If you’re handy, you can disassemble the gadget casing to expose the additional surface area for drying. If this makes you nervous, don’t do it!
7. Using the vents, air, or blow-dry your blower. If you have the time, air drying is most likely the safest option. 
8. However, it may take a few days. Blow drying is faster, but there is a slight risk of driving water into mechanical places it isn’t supposed to go. It all relies on your risk tolerance and how rapidly you need to dry your blower.
9. The decisive moment has arrived: Connect the electricity and start your blower once you’re sure you’ve taken the time and effort to dry it.
10. Start the tool again. 
11. Stop immediately if you see a spark or smell something burning, and then repeat the process.

How to Properly Use a Wet Bounce House

Although there are numerous risks involved with having water on a bounce house while it is in operation, it is still possible to use it. When the bounce house is utilized wet, safety procedures might be put in place.

The first stage is for adults to supervise the children’s use. This will significantly reduce the dangers. Second, covering exposed electrical parts such as cords and blowers will help keep water out and electrical hazards at bay.

A tarp placed over the bounce house will also assist prevent some of its pieces from being too wet, reducing the likelihood of mishaps.

If the bounce house is drenched, adults must be present to supervise and decide who may or may not use the bounce house. The size of the bounce house, as well as the age of the user, should be taken into account.

It is possible to use a bounce house when it is damp. In fact, especially during the summer, it can be the most refreshing journey you can embark on. However, it is critical to always take preventive measures and implement safety procedures.

Failure to do so can result in a variety of tragedies and unwelcome obligations. If you are unsure of what actions to take to ensure your safety in the event of rain, you can always chat with the company that is renting you the bounce house.

Putting Together a Bounce House to Protect Against Rain

Is there anything particular that needs to be done before setting up a kid’s bounce castle outside?  Yes, the answer is yes.

First, ensure that the bounce house has been fully inflated and is securely fastened in place with stakes or sandbags (if there are no anchors available).

Next, you’ll need a tarp large enough to cover your bouncy castle; this will be utilized as extra weather protection if necessary. After you’ve secured the bounce house, you should cover it with a tarp.

If your bounce house has a roof, there is no need to cover it with tarps because rain will not cause any harm on top of that; but, if it does not have a roof, make sure all openings are completely covered so water does not get inside through zippers or other open spots.

Also, don’t forget to consider using waterproof tape.

When utilizing sandbags as anchors instead of stakes, keep in mind that they can only carry roughly 20 pounds before breaking apart, requiring at least four bags per anchor point.

This may appear to be an excessive amount, but when it comes to children’s protection, nothing less than utmost vigilance is required!

Now your kids may all jump around in the bounce house to their hearts’ content without worrying about the bounce house getting wet.

However, it is not recommended for children under the age of 12 who are less than 48 inches tall (measured from head to hand) and/or weigh more than 80 pounds.

The Following Weather Conditions Are Never Safe for Your Bounce House

While a light rainfall is no cause for concern while your bounce house is still inflated outside, some situations should never be taken into consideration when purchasing a bounce house.

1. High Winds

winds of up to 25 miles per hour can pick up a bounce house. Before inflating your bounce house, make sure it is firmly secured and staked down. High winds, on the other hand, can still produce a perilous situation.

1. Thunderstorms

Not only do thunderstorms frequently bring high winds, but lightning and heavy rain are not safe conditions in which to utilize your bounce house.

3. Hailstorms

Even in the middle of summer, we can experience severe hailstorms where we live. Those ice chunks can come down with a lot of power and be pretty pointy at times. Your bounce house could be pierced and torn by hail.

Conclusion

Most inflatable bounce houses are composed of long-lasting, weatherproof nylon or other synthetic materials that can withstand rain.

A light rain of water may not cause much damage, but a downpour might be disastrous. And since the bounce houses are mostly packed with children, the caution should be extra leveled. 

Happy bouncing!