A Parent’s Guide to Booking with Confidence
When you're planning a party, school fair, fun day or corporate event, booking a bouncy castle or inflatable attraction is often the highlight for children — and sometimes adults too. But not all inflatable hire companies operate to the same safety standards. As a parent or organiser, the most important question should be:
“Is this company safe and properly certified?”
Here’s your essential guide to choosing a trusted, professional hire company and ensuring your event runs safely and smoothly.
Always Check for a Valid Safety Test Certificate
Every commercial inflatable must have a current annual test certificate. Look for one of the recognised industry testing schemes such as:
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Betterbounce ECS Test Certificate – includes a QR code for instant validity checks
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PIPA (Pertex Inspection & Play Accreditation)
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PSI / PRiI (Professional RPII Inspector Tested)
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ROSPA
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ADIPS (For fairs and theme park rides)
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Nefleck and other specialist testing bodies
A genuine operator will proudly show certificates upfront, often displayed on the inflatable itself or provided in booking documentation.
Ask for Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RA/MS)
Professional companies will have pre-written documentation covering:
These documents are essential for schools, councils and corporate venues, and show the company understands safe operation — not just delivery and collection.
Insurance – Public Liability Is Non-Negotiable
Always request proof of minimum £5 million Public Liability Insurance. Without this, you risk being personally liable should an accident occur.
No insurance = no booking.
Visual Signs of a Professional Company
Look out for these red flags and green lights:
✅ Clean, well-maintained inflatables (no mould, rips or patches of tape)
✅ Staff wearing branded clothing or ID
✅ Secure anchoring, mats and safety fencing provided
❌ No paperwork, vague answers about tests
❌ “Cash only” operations with no company name
❌ Outdated or children’s toy inflatables being used commercially
Safety on the Day – How They Set Up Matters
Even the best inflatable can be made dangerous if badly installed. Watch for:
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Secure anchoring into the ground or ballast for indoors
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Correct blower connection and safety mesh
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Clear, visible supervision rules and height/age signs
A good company will refuse to inflate in unsafe weather or locations — even if the customer insists otherwise. That’s the operator you can trust.
Why Safety Matters More Than Price
It’s tempting to choose the cheapest, but cutting corners on inflatables can lead to serious dangers. A professional hire company invests heavily in testing, training, maintenance and compliance — that’s what you’re really paying for.
Thinking of Starting Your Own Hire Business?
If you love the idea of running your own inflatable hire business, or you’re already hiring regularly, it may be more cost-effective to own your own inflatable. BetterBounce are award-winning UK manufacturers supplying:
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Bouncy Castles
- Slides & Obstacle Courses
- Christmas & Seasonal Inflatables
- Custom Branded Units
- 2-Year Warranty
- Tested & Certified
👉 Visit our Sales Page: www.better-bounce.co.uk
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