You can read this very important document by clicking on: http://www.pipa.org.uk/publicBestPractice.pdf NOTE: This is FREE article. If you are interested in reading premium articles please click on the Members Only Area Not yet a member? Please click here to join the BIHA now

INTRODUCING www.jumpgym.co.uk 10 ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE INTRODUCTORY PRICE OF £3995!! £14,995 is the price that will be charged once 10 areas are sold What Jump Gym is… Jump Gym is a brand new modern, energetic fun way for kids to exercise. Our giant inflatable Read More …

Inflatables for all ages (both physical and mental) provide a whole host of fun at stag and hen parties. With numerous suppliers offering a wide range of activities, there is sure to be something to suit everyone, providing a hilarious spectacle for contestants and spectators Read More …

Why it is vitally important to check your website works when viewed with a mobile phone. If you have a website, (it is vitally important for all inflatable hire companies!) you need to get or borrow either an iPhone, Blackberry, Droid smart phone, or any Read More …

Getting referrals is one of the easiest ways to increase your profits in your inflatable hire business. But how do you get more referrals from your customers and from the people you know? “Is there a right and a wrong way to ask for referrals? Read More …

Here is a website for working out generator applications…. http://www.macgen.com/calcul.html#kwtokva To make it easier here’s my ‘unofficial’ guide based on my own experience on minimum requirement to operate fans. Advise to start the fans one at a time. 1 x 1.5 blower = 3 to Read More …

(Unfortunately, many bookings are lost because of these two inappropriate words that are used). Never say the price of your bouncy castle rental first of all. If you do it is very likely that the customer will say “thank you” and contact the next rental Read More …

One of the easiest ways to market your hire business. Every time you go out to where people congregate – particularly your potential customers try to make sure that you regularly wear a jacket, tee-shirt or sweater (or baseball cap) with your company logo on Read More …

Being in the bouncy castle industry most of us know how much all children love a bouncy castle! Well now we can introduce you to “Bessie The Bouncy Castle”. Michelle Traverse is Bessie’s creator and she’s hoping that her new children’s character will become the Read More …

Do you find a high proportion of your customers and prospects contact you by email to hire your inflatables ? If so, do you collect their email address, so that you can email them at a later date with special offers such as “Two inflatables Read More …

Historically, logos have been more a luxury than a necessity. Businesses attracted customers because they were the only game in town, so to speak. No longer. Today’s highly competitive inflatable hire companies and visually oriented consumers have catapulted the logo to prominence. Now your logo Read More …

Buying second-hand has always been a sensible alternative for those major purchases in life. Houses, cars, and boats, for example, are popular second hand purchases. Yet, buying second-hand also carries inherent risks. Are you getting a good deal or inheriting someone else’s problems? You’ll need Read More …

About SAFEchild www.safechild.co.uk SAFEchild provides guidance on child protection issues in line with current child protection legislation and promotes the Government’s “Every Child Matters” agenda. Established in 1999 SAFEchild is a registered charity and is dedicated to promoting the welfare of all children and young Read More …

Most established bouncy castle business owners follow a similar pattern of information for their leaflets and flyers……. I.e. Company name at the top in small lettering. Then Bouncy castle / inflatable hire underneath. Directly underneath this they have a photo or two of their BEST Read More …

By now you should have heard of Twitter which is a relatively new social / business networking blogging platform. This has caused a massive sensation in the business world, as savvy business owners are realising that their customers can keep up with what is happening Read More …

Someone recently posted the following question on the discussion forum at: www.BouncyCastleOwner.com “Just wondered when you peg down your inflatables do you put the peg straight over the anchor point or not? Trying to prevent taking my castles to get a little bit of stiching Read More …

How to Carry Out Minor Cosmetic Repairs. Bouncy Castle (of commercial strength) are extremely robust. But, if your inflatable is in need of repair, the chances are that is has been caused by adults jumping on a childrens’ unit. Always ensure that childrens’ units are Read More …

1) Make sure that the bouncy castle is completely empty of all children and any debris such as leaves, small toys, stones etc. 2) Switch off the electrical supply and disconnect the blower. 3) Allow the bouncy castle to completely deflate, whilst packing all the Read More …

Two women died because the Dreamspace Artwork installation in Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham in the UK was not properly tethered, a court was told. Two people died when a walk-through inflatable artwork broke free from its moorings because of the creator’s gross negligence, a court heard Read More …

Remember to always have your hire agreement signed and check your unit over when you collect it. Should your bouncy castle be particularly dirty (this should be rare) then you may have to discuss a cleaning charge with the customer as per your signed agreement. Read More …

I recently came across this excellent 18 minute video (made in America in 1950) showing how crucially important leisure and entertainment is to the health of society (particularly children as they are growing up) . This video may well give you some inspiration (and ideas) Read More …

Please refer to the following link for a simple guide to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg291.pdf Posted By Mark Jerram 6th January 2009

In any bouncy castle hire business (especially if you have corporate clients), cash flow – money coming in and money going out – is absolutely vital to the continuation and success of your business. Money going out is the simple part, there are always expenses Read More …

In order to maintain good cash flow, while running a bouncy castle hire business, it is vital that you reduce your business costs as much as possible, especially in these uncertain economic times. This short article looks at ten ways that you can quickly reduce Read More …

Victory for parents (or anyone) supervising bouncy castles. Bouncy castle ruling overturned. A couple ordered to pay £1 Million damages to a boy who suffered brain damage whilst playing on a bouncy castle have won their appeal in the high court. This is seen as Read More …

All bouncy castles and inflatables need blowers to inflate them and keep them inflated. However, during normal use, the blower’s impeller blades attract airborne debris e.g. dust, dirt etc. which sticks to them and reduces their efficiency in much the same way that the build Read More …

Below is a list of different types of inflatables and accessory products which can be hired out as “add-ons” or alternatively hired out as stand-alone products to bring in extra revenue to your inflatable hire business. If you can think of any other additional hire Read More …

Subject: Party Popper Dye Removal. Please note that this is not a general cleaning product. So it looks like you might have a problem with the bleeding dye from Party Poppers or something similar……… please read on and also take a look at the image Read More …

Helping you play safe and stay safe Users/Hirer Responsibilities · · Agreeing the Operator/Attendants, ensuring that they have been adequately trained and are competent in their role as supervisor. · Completion of a risk assessment. This must be updated to take account of local operational Read More …

It has come to our attention that there are bouncy castle operators working in this area who are hiring out toy bouncy castles rather than the real thing. These castles are made of a nylon material and are inflated by a little blower which is Read More …

It is very important for you to know the anatomy of your inflatable for the following reasons: If you understand an inflatable’s structure you will be able to make better judgment when buying one. When you need repairs done to your inflatable – you can Read More …

You should join the BIHA today if: – You are thinking of starting your own bouncy castle / inflatable hire business. – You are in the process of starting your own bouncy castle / inflatable hire business. – You are in the inflatable hire business Read More …

To be eligible you will already have a good working knowledge of the design, manufacture, materials used, operating procedures, maintenance and inspection of bouncy castles and inflatable play equipment. In addition, it is very important that you have a good working knowledge of the standard Read More …

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Important new legislation came into effect on 28th May 2008 that will compel businesses (including bouncy castle and inflatable hire businesses!) to adhere to new rules or else risk a prison sentence or a maximum fine of Read More …

10 Reasons Why Your Bouncy Castle Hire Business Must Have a Website. Do you have a website? Bet you’ve heard this question before. What’s the big deal? Why does a local bouncy castle hire company need a website? Isn’t that for companies who do business Read More …

7 Top Safety Tips for Concerned Parents Hosting a Bouncy Castle Party In light of the recent press coverage in relating to the bouncy castle accident case in Rochester, Kent where legal action has been taken against a hirer after a child was injured on Read More …

Following on from the High Court ruling about the tragic case of Sam Harris – please click on the link below for more information regarding this case and a statement from the BIHA. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7390803.stm The official BIHA ruling in case anyone wants to quote it Read More …

Such are the demands of work on the founder/owner of an inflatable hire business, that it may be a while before formal employment contracts are organized and proper procedures are put in place. This however does not mean that an employment contract does not exist. Read More …

Many halls and community centres have large curtains which hang down from the windows. Unfortunately, the blower for the inflatable is often placed near the bottom of the curtain. During the party the bottom of the curtain can sometimes be sucked up and block the Read More …

Why it is easier to run an inflatable hire business in the 21st Century. There are many opportunities around nowadays that were just not available before 2000 (or if they were they were incredibly expensive). Examples are: 1) The internet. Customers can find inflatable hire Read More …

A problem with hiring out bouncy castles in the UK is the unpredictable weather! A heavy rain shower can mean that both the bouncer and the children get wet, the enjoyment is reduced. (Although the guidelines says that bouncy castles should NOT be used in Read More …

In early 2001, one of our members gave the BIHA a simple but brilliant idea to dramatically increase all our profits. It is by far the best idea that we have ever seen. It is totally unique and only a tiny percentage of inflatable hirers Read More …

The Law states that it is your responsibility to make sure that all items you hire are safe. PAT testing (Portable Appliance Test) is now law for all electrical items that a business owns which are used by the public, customers, contractors and employees etc. Read More …

A BIHA member recently told me the following: “I noticed that I had two types of competitors: Type 1, They would always try to “steal” customers from me by trying to undercut my prices. They would never pass bookings to me, even if they were Read More …

Many people hire community halls and other halls (e.g. church halls) for their children’s birthday party. This is a great idea as inclement weather cannot affect the party. They also hire a bouncy castle or small slide for the hall. Unfortunately, the ceiling heights of Read More …