Buying A Bouncy Castle

Parents wanting to provide summer time fun for their children might consider buying a bouncy castle. But with prices ranging £200 to £400 or more for a new bouncy castle, the best alternative is to purchase the fun-for-all item second hand. Prices drop significantly buying second hand to about £100.

What is a Bouncy Castle?

A bouncy castle is a fun, safe alternative to trampolines. Bouncy castles are manufactured in two category grades: residential and commercial. Size is the main factor in determining if a bouncy castle is commercial or residential grade. Other factors include materials used and method of operation.

How Does a Bouncy Castle Work?

Bouncy castles are set on a large, blank area for commercial use such as a football field or on a sizable garden for residential use. They are anchored/tethered to the ground by way of rope or cable. Some are also weighted down around the corners for added stability.

The bouncy castle once secured is filled with air, supplied by a pump powered through commercial or residential mains. In some instances, bouncy castles might be partially filled with water or have water flowing from top to bottom down a slide.

What are the Features of a Bouncy Castle?

Bouncy castles often have multiple features. These include climbing obstacles, obstacles to crawl under, obstacles to crawl between, slides and of course, an area reserved for bouncing/jumping.

What Should I Know when Purchasing a Second Hand Bouncy Castle?

* Read Customer Reviews

Parents purchasing a bouncy castle--whether new or second hand--ought to first research the particular make and model. Look up the manufacturer and read customer reviews. You are likely to learn a great deal about which provide the most entertainment while being the safest.

* Examine the Bouncy Castle

Prior to purchasing a second hand bouncy castle, look over it for tears or separating stitches. It is normal to find small holes along the stitching as these devices are not air-tight. However, large gaps or unwinding stitches are a cause for concern. Additionally, patches sewn to the material might suggest the bouncy castle was overused in the past.

* Read the Safety Notices

Some of manufacturers' safety notices can be found on the Internet. Others will only be included with the packaging. If purchasing second hand, ask for the safety notices that came with the original packaging. These notices explain everything a parent should know to keep their children from being injured.

* Exercise Caution

Because bouncy castles are powered by electricity, it is important to connect the blower to the mains with a residual-current device or RCD. This will not only provide continuous electrical flow, the flow will be regulated to prevent an electrical fire.

* Use the Bouncy Castle with Caution

Once set-up in your garden, keep at least 1.8m clearance on all sides of the bouncy castle. If your garden does not have enough room to accommodate 1.8m on each side, your garden is too small and safety hazards will exist.

In addition, cover all cords/wires to avoid tripping. Never leave children unattended while on the bouncy castle. Never erect and/or use the bouncy castle during periods of high winds. High winds can cause the bouncy castle to tip over or shift unexpectedly.

Children can have hours of fun on a bouncy castle. It is important parents follow the manufacturer's inflation and use instructions during operation.


Written by Tom Eales

 

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