Spring and summer are here, and there’s no doubt that bounce houses will be out for school festivals and birthday parties. They are a favorite among party planners for their ability to wear out a bunch of kids relatively inexpensively.
But be very careful when choosing a company that supplies inflatables. If your chosen provider doesn’t fully comply with state law, not only will you be on the front line for liability purposes if someone gets hurt, but you could be exposed to class B misdemeanor penalties.
Bounce houses are regulated as “attractions” by the Texas Occupations Code. As such, their operators are subject to certification requirements consisting of minimum levels of insurance and annual inspections of each inflatable.
Texas requires each operator to have a minimum insurance coverage of $1,000,000 per single limit combined event (bodily injury + property damage). In addition, the operator’s insurer must annually inspect each ride for stress-related damage and wear on critical parts of a ride that the manufacturer determines are reasonably subject to failure with use normal and can cause injury as a result (think: tie). -straps down). Manufacturers and state regulations may identify additional inspection points.
Certification of an acceptable inspection and a copy of valid insurance coverage must be submitted to the State by July 1 of each year in order for a company to operate inflatables. Each “ride” will receive a certification sticker showing its fitness to operate. When choosing a rental shop for your next party:
Look for a physical office. This means stability and commitment to long-term business measures such as those required to be accountable to the State. Ask to see evidence of the company’s active insurance coverage; confirm that you meet state requirements. Ask when the last safety inspection was. Better yet, ask for the serial number of the ride you want to rent and check its annual certification sticker on the state website: tdi.texas.gov/commercial/lcamcurrentsticker.html. Check for excessive or worrisome injury reports, which must be filed when a child is injured (injury reports are not required for minor first aid injuries such as bumps and bruises): tdi.texas.gov/commercial/lcamqtrinjury.html. Don’t make price your deciding factor. Many low-cost carriers are able to offer lower prices because they sidestep state requirements.
Take care out there, and happy bouncing!
Kendra Rey is an attorney at Hammerle Finley Law Firm. The attorneys at Hammerle Finley Law Firm are available for consultations to discuss your legal questions. This article does not constitute legal advice.
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