Bouncy castles and other inflatables can prove to be unsafe if the installation and supervision are poor or faulty. Here are a few tips for safety in handling bouncy castles, which will equally apply to other inflatable items also.

• The tethering of the inflatables should be absolutely secure so that they do not turn topsy-turvy or get blown away in heavy outdoor winds. The ground selected for tethering should be a level one.

• Faulty blowers or leaks in the inflatables will cause sudden loss of pressure and deflation, which can prove harmful.

• The height of the inflatables should be taken into account and the children should be supervised so that they do not fall off from heights.

• Impact absorbing mats should be placed near the openings in the inflatables. If that is not possible, you should at least ensure that the ground next to such openings is a soft one.

• Overcrowding and accommodating more kids than the company recommendations will always result in disaster. This should be avoided at all costs.

• Children of equal size should be grouped together, so that smaller kids are not jostled or stepped upon by bigger ones.

• The kids should be asked to remove shoes, belts, watches and all other clothing items that are sharp and are likely to cause injuries.

• The kids should not be allowed to climb steep walls in the inflatables due to the risk of falling down heavily. They should also be restrained from performing acrobatics on the inflatables that might prove risky or dangerous.

• Ice creams, sweets, drinks and other food items should not be allowed on the inflatables.