Three top tips to make sure your bouncy castle is covered by your insurance.

A church fete or outdoor fun event just wouldn’t be right without a bouncy castle, would it?  But you might be wondering how hiring fun inflatables will affect your insurance or whether you’re even covered.

You should always check with us to make sure that you are covered but in short, your policy with us probably does cover you for the use of bouncy castles, as long as they are operated in accordance with health and safety guidelines and with the conditions of your policy.

Here are our three top tips to make sure you’re taking the due care required by your insurers and to make sure everyone has a safe and fun time.

1.Assess the risks

Like any other organised event, before you do anything you should carry out a full risk assessment, just to make sure you’re not putting anyone in any unnecessary danger. Once that’s done, the fun can begin!

2. Stick to regulations

You should know about PIPA! It stands for Pertexa Inflatable Play Accreditation.

PIPA is the regulatory body for all inflatable play items.  The scheme is recognised and supported by the entire inflatable industry and was developed hand in hand with the Health and Safety Executive.

Any bouncy castle or inflatable you hire should have a PIPA tag attached to it.  Each tag displays a number and it means that the inflatable has been checked by PIPA officials and that they see that it is suitable, safe and approved for your use.  If you operate a bouncy castle or inflatable without a tag, you are not taking ‘due care’ and your insurance may be invalid.

If you’re ever in doubt about a tag, you can visit the PIPA website at http://www.pipa.org.uk/genuine.html and check the validity and status of an inflatable by entering the tag’s number online.   The PIPA website also has a lot of helpful advice for you to read and download about the operation and health and safety during the use of inflatables.

3. Be sensible!

Follow the hire company’s safety instructions, especially to the recommended maximum number of children to be using the bouncy castle at one time.  You should think about creating a rota for different age or size groups of children using the equipment at one time and most importantly make sure a responsible adult is supervising the bouncy castle whenever it is in use.

Have fun!

Photo Credit : elPadawan