Boing Boing Inflatables, LLC is committed to the safety of our customers. We are proud to be the FIRST and only Middle TN inflatable company to have the Basic and Advanced Certification from the Safe Inflatable Operators Training Organization (S.I.O.T.O.). We were also selected to be a member of the Association of Inflatable Rental Company Operators (AIRCO) due to our safety practices and operating procedures.

In order to provide a safe environment for you and your children all manufacturers guidelines for set-up and maintenance of our equipment are followed. We set-up and test all of our equipment before turning it over to our valued customers. We also thoroughly check and clean our units after every rental. We do everything we can to ensure you have a clean, nice-looking, safely installed and maintained rental unit EVERY TIME. We carry liability insurance as all responsible business owners should. We can supply you with a certificate of insurance upon request. If you are having your event at a facility, we can add them as an additional insured to our policy at no additional cost.

When you have a moonwalk at your house, you're in charge! Moonwalks are fun and easy to watch, but occasionally you might have issues. If something goes wrong, try these suggestions to get back on track.

If the inflatable loses power, don't panic! Help the kids exit the unit quickly but don't scare them- most moonwalks have enough air in them to sink gently to the ground, making it tricky to walk but a soft landing. Usually, there is only a roof above and plenty of ventilation through the windows- a child is more likely to hurt themselves in a panic than they are to get injured by the inflatable itself.

Someone should immediately check to make sure the blower hasn't been turned off or unplugged. Check extension cords as well. It's likely someone pulled the plug from the outlet or tripped over an extension cord and unplugged it. Turn the blower back on and the unit will quickly re-inflate.

If the unit became unplugged because it moved and pulled the plug from the outlet, your unit is not secured well enough. Check the stakes or sandbags and make sure the kids are not playing too wildly (ie, throwing themselves against the walls.)

If everything is still plugged in and turned on, check your fuse box or breaker box. If the breaker has been tripped, see what else is on that same circuit before turning it back on. The circuit is overloaded. Either unplug other items on the same circuit or plug the inflatable into a different outlet on a different circuit.

If other items still work on that outlet (test it with a hair dryer) then the blower is damaged. Call your inflatable rental company and let them know what happened. If anything unusual happened before the blower stopped working (rain, something spilled on blower, somthing hit the blower) be sure to let the rental company know so they can determine how to fix the problem.

Winds can be dangerous. Most moonwalks carry a notice saying they must be deflated when the winds exceed 25 mph. How do you know how much 25 mph is? The following wind observation table was compiled by the US National Weather Service.

Wind Speed (MPH)	Wind Effects Observed on Land	Terms Used in NWS Forecasts
0-1	Calm; smoke rises vertically.	Calm
1-3	Direction of wind shown by smoke drift, but not by wind vanes.	Light
4-7	Wind felt on face, leaves rustle,ordinary vane moved by wind.	Light
8-12	Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; wind extends light flag.	Gentle
13-18	Raises dust and loose paper; small branches are moved.	Moderate
19-24	Small trees in leaf begin to sway; crested wavelets form on inland waters.	Fresh
25-31	Large branches in motion; whistling heard in telephone wires; umbrellas used with difficulty.	Strong
32-38	Whole trees in motion; inconvenience felt walking against the wind.	Strong

When conditions hit the 25-31 MPH zone, have all children exit the inflatable and turn the power to the blower off. If at any time you notice the wind starting to lift the inflatable off the ground, clear the unit of riders and turn it off until the wind subsides.

Ask the moonwalk company about their policies on rain- there are many different ways to deal with rain conditions. Regardless of how the inflatable unit is to be handled, do not use the moonwalk in rainy conditions. Wet vinyl is slippery and children are more likely to fall and knock into each other.

In general, most companies prefer you leave the unit up and running in light rain as the air pressure prevents too much water from getting into the base. If the rain looks like it's going to last a while or be heavy, do the following:

• Turn the power off
• Remove the blower from the unit and take indoors or to a covered area
• Untie the sandbags or stakes from one side of the unit and fold it over on itself to prevent too much water from getting into the unit.
• If the rental company left you an extra tarp (because it looked like rain), cover the folded moonwalk with the tarp.

If you are handling the unit yourself (from a pick-up location), these tips will make a world of difference. Your moonwalk rental company may have different requirements for rainy conditions, so be sure to ask. If you don't know what else to do, follow the steps above.

Be aware some companies charge an extra cleaning fee for units caught out in the rain- enquire about that before making a decision whether or not to go on with the party.


Emergency Moonwalk Procedures reprinted courtesy of the National Moonwalk Rental Directory.



It's easy to pick a moonwalk company based on price alone- you can always go through the phone book and choose the lowest cost provider in your area. But is that the best thing for your party? There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a moonwalk rental company for your event that you may not even realize! Here are a few things to ask when you start to comparison shop:

The first thing you should find out from a prospective rental company is whether or not they are insured. Moonwalk rental insurance covers liability in case of an accident where the moonwalk company is at fault. It does not typically cover injuries or minor accidents that happen while the moonwalk is under your supervision. So why should you care? A company that has made the effort to get insurance has made a commitment to a safe operation. It shows longevity (fly-by-night companies don't bother with the expense of insurance) and a concern both for your safety and the long-term success of their own company. In some states (but not all) insurance is required by state regulations. An inflatable rental company operating without insurance is operating illegally in those states. In states without regulations, inflatable operators should still be insured.

Does your prospective rental company offer delivery? Is there an additional charge? Moonwalks are heavy, bulky, and awkward to move and setup. They require proper securing, either with stakes or sandbags and there may be state-regulated minimum requirements on the size of the stakes or the weight of the sandbags. If you are picking up the moonwalk yourself, be sure the operator reviews safety and setup instructions with you to ensure that you have a safe and fun experience with your moonwalk. In most areas, you can find companies with delivery included or for a small additional charge. It's not just about the money or convenience, but the safety of your children and their guests. Consider having a professional set up your inflatable bounce house or slide for your own peace of mind.

Bounce houses get really dirty- they are outside in all types if weather! You will typically find do-it-yourself places or inexpensive operators don't take the time to properly clean and sanitize the bounce, although some do. Ask about their cleaning policies. Sanitize? Yes- this is important. Bounces are active places full of little people bouncing against the floors, walls, and pillars in hot conditions- often face first and loving it! You want to feel secure that the surfaces they are coming in contact with are clean and germ-free. Companies that properly clean and sanitize their inflatable units ensure that germs don't spread from one party to the next, not to mention the fact that your party-goers won't go home with black socks!

Many companies will have an attendant who will stay for the duration of your party and supervise the moonbounce- often it's included in the fee quoted. Be sure to ask about an attendant if the rental fee seems high for your area- it could be those extra man-hours that drive the price up but as many event-organizers will tell you it's well worth it! If the company doesn't offer attended rentals or you aren't interested in paying the extra fees, make sure the delivery company reviews operating and safety procedures with you before they leave; things like what to do if it rains or gets windy, what to do if the power goes out, how many kids are allowed at a time, etc. Moonbounces are fun and safe, but it's best to be prepared in case the weather changes or anything else unexpected happens.

Deposits vary by area- in highly competitive areas, you may not be required to send in a deposit but in most areas of the country rental companies do require a deposit of some sort- a credit card number or a mailed deposit. This ensures the equipment you want is reserved for the date and time you requested. Find out under what conditions your deposit is refundable. How long do you have to cancel? How are weather cancellations handled? What about refunds or re-scheduling? While we want to believe our party will go off smoothly, reality is that the weather may not cooperate or the birthday child may be sick, or any of a number of things can happen that might cause you to cancel or reschedule. If a deposit is required, make sure you get it in on time or you may lose your reservation!

Typically, if you rent a moonwalk, you are expected to provide an electrical outlet. Be sure to test outdoor outlets as they are likely to go bad and if you don't use them often, you may not be aware they don't work until time for setup! Plug a hair dryer into the outlet and let it run at high a few minutes to test. For events that aren't near an electrical source, you'll need a generator. Many rental companies have them or can get them for you- if not you can pick one up yourself at a local rental store. Make sure you know how to operate it and how long a tank of gas will last if you are doing it yourself.

Inflatables can't be set up on a slope. It's just not safe. You'll need a relatively flat area at least 5' bigger all around than the size of the inflatable. It's best to make sure you have enough room ahead of time by measuring or at least walking off the area so that you don't have to rearrange your plans at the last minute. Check for bushes or tree branches in the way and make sure there are no power lines or overhanging branches overhead. Clear the area of rocks, twigs, pine cones, or other obstructions and check for fire ant hills, dog leave-behinds, or anything else that might be in the way. Do you have an irrigation system? Let your moonwalk rental company know that upfront. They may choose to secure the unit with sandbags instead of stakes if you are unsure where the irrigation lines are.

Moonwalks are impressive, exciting, and fun! Your house or business will be the center of attention when the moonbounce is up and running, so enjoy it and get lots of pictures of those little ones having the time of their lives. They'll always remember it and so will you.

Choosing a Moonwalk Rental Company reprinted courtesy of the National Moonwalk Rental Directory.