Inflatable Rentals: How Inclement Weather Impacts Your Rental

A 5-year-old boy was killed and another child was injured in Maryland during a baseball game when a bounce house became airbone due to strong winds. (NBC Washington, 2024)

It is not hard to agree that when the host of a party or event rents an inflatable such as a bounce bouse or water slide, it is the main attraction. They are big, unique, and a lot of fun regardless of how old you are. They capture everyone's attention.

When you are planning to have one at your party or event and it doesn't show up, it is easy to see why you would be disappointed or frustrated with the rental company if they chose to cancel your rental due to weather at the last minute. However, the truth is that their choice to cancel the rental could have saved your life or the lives of your guests.

In a 2023 study on wind-related bounce house incidents, researchers found that from the time period of January 1st, 2000 through December 31st, 2021 there were 132 documented cases of wind-related bounce house incidents. In these 132 documented cases, there was at least 479 injuries and 28 fatalities.

When used appropriatley and in accordance with the manufacturer's rules and guidelines, inflatables can provide a lot of safe fun. When used wrecklessly or without regard for the safety of others, inflatables can be very dangerous and even deadly.

The truth is, even when inflatables are properly set up and staked down at every anchor point they can only be safely operated in the wind speeds specified by the manufacturer. Every indivudal inflatable may have a different wind speed rating even if it is from the same manufacturer, but the important thing to note is that every inflatable has a maximum wind speed rating. Once this maximum wind speed has been reached or exceed, it is necessary to immediatley discontinue use of the inflatable and exit, shut off the blower, deflate the unit, and monitor the weather for conditions to improve before safely continuing use.

As a rental company, the challenge of inclement weather is balancing the expectations and needs of our customers with their own safety and wellbeing. We will always choose to put safety above all else, including money. If wind speeds or forecasted wind speeds exceed the manufacturer's specifications for sustained winds or gusts for an inflatable, we can not set up the inflatable. We would never risk injury or the life of you, your guests, or especially any children who trust us to make sound judgement decisions and protect them from harm.

The same can be said about many other rental items as well - especially tents, tables, and chairs. The canopies on tents are large and the open nature of tents allows wind to easily flow under and upward, potentially lifting tent stakes out of the ground and sending tents airborne. Often times tables and chairs are rented in large quantities, but even in lower quantities high wind speeds threaten knocking tables or chairs over or sending them airbone. Once tents, tables, chairs, or other rental items are airborne it becomes very unpredictable and unsafe and the potential for serious injury or death is high.

A bounce house in Niagra Falls, New York was picked up by a gust of wind and thrown in to the power lines. Luckily, no one was injured. (WKBW-TV, 2016)

At the end of the day, we prioritze the safety of our customers and their guests over any amount of money. While we share in the dissatisfaction of last minute cancellations, we will not make any exceptions when it comes to safety. Thank you for your understanding.