have you ever used a INFLATABLE BOUNCE HOUSE

[volfireman034]

At our last monthly meeting it was brought up that maybe we could get a INFLATABLE BOUNCE HOUSE and use it at fundraisers. The kind that the little kids jump around in. We could use it not only for fire department direct events but also at other comunity events like 4th of July and such. Any thoughts? Any one already using them? We have a person looking in to the insurance end of it to thats aspect is covered. Looking for other thoughts?

[snowball]

We rented one for a union party at the lake and towed it behind a houseboat out to the cove. It was a home run with all the college chicks fighting to get on and stay on.
Other than that, no.


In case you're wondering, it was the castle.

[pasobuff]

I have seen them used around here - but on a rental basis - we have a few different companies that rent them out, then you don't have to worry about liability as the owner carries it.

Other things to think about are storage, does it need to be taken out periodically and 'exercised' so the fabric doesn't crease/crack, maintenance of the blower, repairs if the house is damaged.....

How complicated to do you want to get with it...a simple one with just the bounce house (and I have seen them fire/Sparky themed!)....or more involved with a slide, there are even ones with water features!

[Capt387]

In Ky the state fire commission purchased two. From what I was told they were about $10,000 each. The local DARE officer contacted the FC and was offered to send it to his "fun day" for his program. We ended up setting up an aerial to wet the kids a little too close and before I knew it the kids had mud all in the darn thing (it was a aerial platform slide). We ended up using our aerial to wash the thing out.

[volfireman034]

We were looking at a simple one just the bounce house part with a simple theme that is commerical grade and hold 6 to 8 kids under 150lbs. We didn't think about renting one we will have to investagate that option for sure. I was curious as to how well it worked on the money end? Did the public enjoy it and use it.

[pasobuff]

hahaha....silly question- did the public enjoy and use it.....just TRY to get the kids OUT of it!!!!!.......

[volfireman034]

lol Well thats what were hoping so that we can make money at this lol

[LVFD301]

rent one at your next fund raiser. sell admission tickets. If you make money, then buy one and run with it. If it does not, then on to the next idea.

That way you won't lose too much if it does fail.

[volfireman034]

I think thats the approach we will take. We are looking into renting one first. It was a option we had over looked till we asked for info on here. It's why I like the input of fellow firefighters. Thank you everyone

[slackjawedyokel]

Just remember ,if there is someone who rents them as a business, you will be competing with them (aka general public) who you are asking for support.