To ensure safety when hiring an inflatable in hot weather, customers must take specific precautions to prevent burns from hot surfaces and to keep users, especially children, from overheating.
Before the event
- Request a shaded location: If you have shaded areas in your garden, let the installers know on delivery. Setting up the inflatable under trees or near a building can significantly reduce the risk of its surface becoming dangerously hot.
- Have a plan for hydration and rest: Arrange for a shaded resting area nearby where users can take breaks and have plenty of access to water.
- Check for built-in shade: If you know you are hiring for a hot day, you can ask for an inflatable with a built-in roof or cover. These designs provide protection from direct sunlight and help prevent sunburn and heat exhaustion.
During hot weather
- Test the surface temperature: Before allowing anyone to use the inflatable, test the temperature of the bouncing surface, slide, and safety mats with your hand. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to use. The surface can heat up rapidly in direct sunlight and has been recorded at temperatures up to 47°C.
- Limit use during peak sun: If possible, schedule your bouncing sessions for the cooler parts of the day, such as the morning or late afternoon. Avoid using the inflatable during the peak heat hours, typically between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m..
- Enforce regular breaks: Implement mandatory breaks every 10–15 minutes, moving everyone to a designated shaded area to rest and cool down.
- Wear protective clothing: Require all users to wear socks to protect the soles of their feet from the hot surface. Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing can also protect skin from both heat and UV rays.
- Do not use water to cool it down: It is a common myth that spraying water on the inflatable will cool it. In reality, the water can magnify the sun's rays, which makes the surface even hotter. A wet surface is also very slippery and unsafe.
- Ensure proper hydration: Provide a constant supply of drinking water and encourage everyone, especially children, to drink frequently. Children often don't notice they are thirsty when they are having fun, making it your responsibility to remind them.
- Watch for signs of heatstroke: Look for signs of overheating, which can include flushed skin, excessive sweating, dizziness, and unusual fatigue. If you see these signs, move the individual to a cool area immediately and provide water.