Summer is upon us and with it, warm weather, baseball and summer picnics. But those summer picnics can bring unexpected perils. We’re talking about that summertime staple: the bounce house. Bounce houses can be great fun and a great workout for children and adults. Don’t believe us? Try jumping in one for a minute straight. As fun as bounce houses are, they also present the real possibility of danger. In order to ensure everyone’s safety it is important to follow the proper safety precautions.

When setting up a bounce house, make sure the structure is away from powerlines, fences and, if possible, pavement. Once the structure is set up, it should be properly secured to the ground. The structures should be anchored to the ground according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This typically involves stakes corkscrewed or driven into the ground or the use of sandbags. Depending on the size of the bounce house, industry experts recommend using 30- to 40-inch heavy-duty metal stakes. As bounce houses are meant for bouncing, it is always wise to cover the ground by the entrance/exit with soft material to prevent injury if an overenthusiastic jumper accidently falls out of the structure. It also is important to watch the weather. You might recall several news stories about children being injured after bounce houses were picked up by strong winds and propelled high into the air. While proper anchoring of the bounce house should diminish the risk of such an incident, it is better to be safe than sorry in case wind gusts exceed the manufacturers recommendations. And, everyone should be removed from the structure.

As always, contact our agency to review your policy and ensure you have the proper coverage. If you remember these simple rules you can prevent your bounce house of fun from being transformed into a bounce house of horror.