We often get asked if we can set up a bouncy castle outdoors on a hard surface such as a car park, road or driveway.
The simple answer is yes - BUT only if it is done right!
Unfortunately there are plenty who are willing to cut corners and not set up correctly - all round the UK and Ireland - and this can have serious consequences for your children and their friends... Don't believe me? Well read on...
Only in Fife, Scotland in June of this year (2015) was such an accident - "Two people were taken to hospital after high winds blew away a bouncy castle at Cupar Gala Day this afternoon. Children were playing on the inflatable before it was caught by the wind and blown up to 100 metres across the park. Several people were treated at the scene – with one 10-year-old girl suffering head injuries when she was thrown from the castle as it took off."
Think that is bad? Well there are incidents well documented on websites and YouTube about children who have unfortunately died as a result of an inflatable blowing away in the wind because it was not anchored down correctly. Something as simple and basic as this, yet it can have such a terrible ending. Don't think it won't happen to you...
The Health and Safety Executive state that best practice is to have 163KG of weight PER anchor point. In simple terms this is roughly 7 sandbags contain 25kg of weight on each anchor point. A basic child s castle will have 6 anchor points. Large slides could have between 14 and 20 anchor points. Do you know anyone who carries that much sand around?? We don't...
Trouble is, you don't need to look too hard to find the ones who will put a castle out on the road or your driveway with 6 sandbags (if you're lucky) and drive off. So what, you may think. Well, if any accident was to happen - it is 100% entirely on your head and your house insurance. They might say they have insurance, but it is null and void by setting up like this. No insurance company will cover the bouncy castle company. why? Because they have not set up in accordance to the H&S Executive and this is what all insurance companies ask operators to comply with in the UK.
So if you book with Belfast Bounce, yes we will set up on a hard surface. However, only if we are allowed to drill 10mm holes into the ground and use anchor bolts to secure the inflatable to the ground securely providing more resistance in high winds than 163KG of sand per anchor point. Its safe and its secure. Don't worry - we will fill the holes in afterwards with mastic to weather proof it again.
But please - don't ask us to set up on the road - it is an offence to block a road without the permission in writing from the relevant authority. What if an emergency vehicle needed to get down your road. Short answer, if it is not your land you don't have permission to drill holes - so please don't ask us to do it for you!
We hope this helps set the record straight for people wanting an inflatable outdoors on a hard surface...The choice is up to you now - you know the risks and you know what is the right way for the set up to be done, but it is you who must decide if you want it done right or not...
<< Return to news