Indoor bookings only

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 Before the event

• Check the forecast: Use the Met Office or other reputable forecasting services to monitor the wind speed forecast in the days leading up to your hire.
• Talk to the hire company: Contact your provider if strong winds are predicted. Many companies will contact you first, as they reserve the right to cancel if gusts are forecast to exceed 24 mph (Force 5 on the Beaufort Scale), a legal safety limit.
• Secure an indoor venue: If high winds are a possibility, consider booking an indoor venue like a community hall. This is the only way to guarantee the inflatable can be used safely, regardless of outdoor weather conditions. 

 During the event

• Monitor wind speed: While the hire company will provide guidelines, you must keep an eye on local wind conditions throughout the event. Visual cues that winds are too strong include small trees swaying, and it becoming difficult to walk or use an umbrella.
• Immediately evacuate users: As soon as wind speeds, including gusts, approach or exceed 24 mph (38 kph), all users must be evacuated from the inflatable immediately and safely.
• Switch off and deflate: Once everyone is away, switch off the blower to deflate the  inflatable. This reduces its ability to catch the wind and become airborne.
• Re-secure the castle: Ensure all anchor points remain secure during deflation. Once fully deflated, reinforce the anchoring with any spare sandbags or weights, particularly if you cannot move it indoors. 

 What not to do

• Do not rely on a weather app: Smartphone apps are unreliable for local wind speeds. They only provide a general average and do not account for gusts or wind funnelling, which can be significantly different at your specific location.
• Do not use the inflatable in strong wind: Attempting to operate inflatable  above the safe wind limit is extremely dangerous. It voids the hire company's insurance and makes you liable for any injury or damage that occurs.
• Do not remove or alter anchors: Never remove or reposition the ground stakes, ropes, or ballast bags that the hire company installed. These are carefully placed to secure the inflatable against wind.

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.