Inflatable water slides are a popular rental item for all types of events, from children’s birthday parties to company picnics. But as with any service or product you purchase, there is always the chance that something can go wrong and cause problems for your event. To help you avoid these 11 costly mistakes when renting an inflatable water slide, we have compiled a list of tips to ensure everything goes smoothly!
1. You don’t order enough time on the slide.
If you only rent the slide for a few hours and it takes 30 minutes to set up and take down, you may find yourself rushing in the end and possibly damaging the unit in some way. Now it will be your responsibility if anything happens to it. If you want to make sure nothing is damaged, it is a good idea to order time for more than you think you will need.
2. Not planning on where the slide can go.
It will help plan where you want to put the inflatable water slide Rentals at your event. It’s not just a matter of picking any spot and dropping it off there! You may need to clear the area where you want it and keep people away. You don’t want guests walking through your inflatable as they go from one part of your event to another, as this could cause damage.
3. Not doing a dry run before the day of the event.
Before your big day arrives, you should do a practice setup. You may discover that you need more people helping or additional equipment to make the job go smoothly. Practice makes perfect, so don’t forget this critical step!
4. Not telling the person setting up where your water source is.
If you hire a company to set up and operate the inflatable slide for you, then it is their job to know where the water source is and how much hose you will need. They must have enough hose, as well as a good area for them to work at all. If you feel that there was not enough hose or your event staff couldn’t find it easily, ask them before the day of the event to give you a reasonable estimate.
5. Not providing enough water.
It may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to mention because not having enough water can cause delays or problems for your event. You should estimate the amount of time the slide will be in use and make sure there is a steady stream of fresh water running through it during this period. If you are having problems with water pressure, you can also ask your inflatable slide company if they have a “hose splitter” to make sure the line is not clogged.
6. Hiring an unlicensed or inexperienced staff member.
It’s always a good idea to hire a company that has been in business for a long time and offers experienced operators. Having well-trained staff members working the inflatable is vital because they know how it works and can deal with any problems during the event. If you do end up hiring an inexperienced or unlicensed company, be sure to do a trial run with them before the event date. That way, you can see how they handle everything and figure out if it is worth hiring them or not.
7. Not inspecting the inflatable before it uses.
When your event staff arrives, make sure they inspect the inflatable water slide to ensure that everything has together correctly. It should all be appropriately inflated and have no holes or tears in it. You are responsible for checking these things before your guests using them so take your time and make sure everything is safe for them to enjoy.
8. Not considering the weather when setting up.
It’s a good idea to have your event indoors or in an area with a roof if it rains, so you don’t have to worry about water damage. If you have a water slide outside in bad weather, there should also be a tent over the area where it uses, preventing rain from falling onto the inflatable.
9. Moving the water slide while it is in use.
Never move an inflatable water slide while guests are climbing or coming down it! Not only can this cause injury to them, but you could even sue for damages. Please make sure you let your event staff know that they should not jeopardize safety by moving the inflatable when people are using it.
10. Not allowing enough time for setup.
If you want to ensure that your event goes smoothly and on time, be sure to allow enough time for the person setting up the inflatable water slide to do their job. If they feel like something is taking too long and it’s cutting into their time, they may try and speed things along, leading to injury. There should also be many people helping set up, so it doesn’t become a bottleneck for your event.
12. Not having adequate staff during the event.
It’s essential to have enough staff members on hand at all times (for both set up and break down) since inflatable water slides can be hard to manage if there aren’t enough people around. Be sure that you hire an inflatable water slide company with good customer service, who will always make sure they have adequate staff members around to help the event run as smoothly as possible.
Final Thoughts:
The key to having a successful slide is hiring the right company, doing your research, and planning ahead of time. Inflatable water slides are a fun way to cool off and enjoy the summer. But if you’re not careful, they can lead to some costly mistakes that will leave your wallet dry this year. Avoid these 12 common pitfalls when renting an inflatable water slide for events or parties at all costs!
