Smiles Family Entertainment
Frequently Asked Questions
(Inflatable Rental)
Can inflatable equipment be used in the rain?
We always reserve the right to cancel a reservation due to extreme weather, safety conditions, or the threat of bad weather. However, if our installers come out, and the weather conditions become questionable, and you decide to keep the unit, we ask that usage stops in periods of heavy rain, and cannot give any refunds for time lost. Prior to allowing the equipment usage to resume, please take a dry towel and dry the unit as best possible to help ensure the safety of our little ones. The units become very slippery when they get wet and slipping can severely injure children and adults in some cases. Also, please understand that mold is very unhealthy to humans, and we do all that we can to avoid the units from getting excessively wet, attempting as best possible to avoid mildew and mold, which primarily occurs when water gets inside the inflatable units.
How much space is necessary?
Most of our bounce houses are 15x15 and require a minimum of a three foot "safety radius" around the unit. At a minimum, an 18x18 clearance radius is necessary for the 15x15 units, a 16x16 clearance radius for the 13x13 units, and more space is needed for the larger units, so please inquire prior to booking if your event is space challenged.
How many guest can bounce at one time?
Please remember, although bounce houses can be extremely fun and safe, we must always follow these important guidelines above. We must remember not to ever mix age groups, and also to be sure that children of like age and weight proportions are allowed to play at the same time. Children under 5 can be extremely fragile, and statistics show that most of the severe injuries in the bounce house industry are caused by this rule not being followed, and our little ones ending up with head injuries, or broken bones. Please, please, please follow these guidelines listed above and help keep our little ones stay safe,
and living healthy lives.
How far in advance should I reserve a bounce house?
We typically recommend that a bounce house be reserved at least one month in advance of the date of your event. During peak seasons, late spring and summer months, the units most in demand often book out 30-45 days on average, and many weeks leaving customers who wait until closer to their event with no options for an inflatable unit rental. Our recommendation to our customers is DON’T WAIT!!! It is highly recommended that you book your event as soon as you know the date, and remember, we are flexible, so if your date or location changes, just let us know as soon as possible, and we will do all that we can to accommodate.
How much does it cost to rent a bounce house?
We rent our inflatable units in 4 hour or 8 hour windows and have some of the best and most competitive rates in the Greater Saint Louis area, comparatively. Please note that a delivery fee may apply to all rentals or services outside of our approximately 40 mile round-trip, complimentary coverage area. Please refer to the inflatable page for packages and rates!!!
Can I pick up the unit and set it up myself?
Unfortunately, our customers aren't able to pick up and setup their own inflatable rental unit, rather it be an obstacle course, a bounce house, or a slide. Since safety is our utmost concern, we require that our qualified installers setup our units, check them for safe operation, and review all the necessary safety instructions with the responsible party and anyone that will be involved in supervising the safe operation of the inflatable units and all of our most prized possessions, our little ones.
What is your Bad Weather policy?
We always reserve the right to cancel a reservation (at no penalty to you) if there are heavy rains or high winds (over 20 mph) predicted. Safe operation of our units and customer safety is our utmost concern. Absolutely no refunds will be given once the jump is delivered and accepted by the customer, even if a rain out or strong winds should occur.
If you would like to cancel because it rains, you can opt to receive your deposit, or reschedule. If you cancel without rain, the deposit is non-refundable.
Does the inflatable have to be set up in a yard or on grass?
No, many of our units are set up in the parking lots of schools, malls, churches and other commercial facilities parking lots. Instead of using anchors that are driven approximately 24-30" into the ground, the inflatable is weighed down by 50 - 100 pounds of sand on each corner, and in most instances a tarp is used to protect our equipment from any possible abrasive movement, thus allowing the bounce house or other inflatable equipment to be setup on most any level surface.
Who sets up the inflatable?
Smiles Family Entertainment has teams of qualified installers/technicians that have been properly trained to set up all of our units so that they can be enjoyed in the safest and most enjoyable manner possible. Our installers/technicians have been trained on how to prevent "tripping" and shock hazards and also on how to minimize down time during the extent of your rental.
Are you insured?
Yes Smiles Family Entertainment is insured to protect our client's, as well as our name. The client shall be in charge of operation in most cases, except larger events where multiple units may be present, and also when our larger units are rented out, and in all cases our client's are fully responsible for any accidents or injuries that may occur due to client's negligence or failure to address known safety concerns. After receiving the unit and instructions, and signing off on contract and waiver, lesser is not responsible for any injuries occurring to lessee or to any persons using the leased units during client's event or any damage to any personal property due to negligence and or failure to follow the rules and instructions.
Is your equipment new, clean and sanitized?
We sanitize and deep clean each and every unit that goes out after each weekend, however we spot clean,
sanitize, wipe down, and vacuum prior to breaking down the units at each event. All of our inflatable units are in good condition. Please note there is an $80.00 cleaning fee should we find silly string, gum, wax, or tar on inflatable equipment, and we will do our best to inspect and bring this to our client’s attention prior to the removal of the unit. In order to continue to provide the best quality service to our customer’s and to keep the cost as low as possible, Smiles Family Entertainment recommends that our client’s ask their guest to exit the inflatable units approximately 5-10 minutes prior to pickup of the unit so that you may perform your own inspection, and possibly remedy any minor issues that may incur a cleaning fee.
Is adult supervision required?
Yes. After your unit has been setup, our installer will go over all the safety guidelines with our client’s and have the responsible client sign off on the contract. During that safety review, it is always our intention to make it perfectly clear that a supervisor is required, and must be present when anyone is occupying the unit, to ensure its safe operation. The supervisor is there to help kids and individuals get in and out of the unit safely, and to have the occupants exit the equipment when needed, rather it be safety reasons, or emergency evacuation.
How long does it take to set up an inflatable & take it down?
It takes our installers approximately 25-30 minutes to set up the unit and go over the safety rules and answer any questions.
What is required for set up?
All we really need is a relatively flat, open area that does not have any overhead obstructions and a power outlet within 50 feet of where they unit is to be set up. If no electricity is available, portable generators are available upon request.
Do I have to leave the blower going all day?
There is really no need to turn off the blower when the unit is set-up for enjoyment. The unit uses less energy that a hair dryer will ensure that the unit is always ready for enjoyment. However, if you do need to turn off the unit for any reason, it is perfectly safe. Just make sure everyone has exited the unit and make sure that the unit collapses onto it and not on any sharp objects or obstructions.
Can an inflatable be set up inside?
We are able to setup units indoors, assuming that adequate space is available to accommodate the unit or units of choice. Spaces that are typically large enough to accommodate inflatable units are gyms, stages, shopping malls, and halls. Please be aware that there is an additional $25 fee per unit, for indoor inflatable set-up. Due to the hard setup surface, sandbags of at the least 50-75 pounds per corner are required to weigh down the unit for safety reasons.
Will the inflatable harm my lawn?
No, inflatable equipment doesn’t generally harm lawns. We also take every precaution possible to protect our client’s property, as well as our equipment, and do so by placing down a tarp prior to inflating the bounce house
to make sure that any movement will minimize any damage. We will place stakes in the yard to help anchor the
unit, for safety reasons, however, this does no permanent damage.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require up to a 10% deposit per inflatable unit. Your deposit is fully refundable as long as the cancellation request is done at least 10 days prior to your rental date. Customer reserves the right to cancel or reschedule rental after 10 day period, and prior to inflatable setup, due to weather related reasons only.