From amusement parks to product promotions and tradeshows, you can find custom inflatables being used in all sorts of events and venues. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes too. You might have seen inflatable tents being used as brand pavilions in exhibitions. Inflatable medical canopy tents are routinely used by ER teams around the world. And then there are the more fun iterations of this accessory – the inflatable mascots, arches, and castles – being used in trade fairs and bonfire nights. Why do even outdoor racing competitions employ inflatable arches as start and finish lines?
But like every other accessory, there are certain safety precautions to follow while using inflatable tents. Don’t get us wrong here. These accessories are certainly not hazardous or difficult to use in any sense. In fact, the PVC sheets used to manufacture high-quality custom inflatables are fire retardant. But even then, it is always prudent to be cautious about things that can go wrong.
1. Set Up Your Inflatable Canopy On Firm Ground
While setting up your tent, watch out for extruding tree branches and low-hanging power lines. While the former can poke holes into your accessory and cause permanent damage, the latter can be outright hazardous.
Look for level ground and a surface free of rocks and other debris. In case you are unable to find a nice, flat surface, use a tent mattress to make things comfortable for your back when resting inside your tent. It is always a good idea to secure your custom canopy tent with tent stakes and guy ropes in case you are pitching it on semi-hard ground. For hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete, use weight plates, sandbags, cinderblocks, or water weights along with footplates to secure your tent against gusts.
2. Ensure There’s an Adult Around to Supervise an Inflatable Game
Amusement parks and trade fairs often have separate fun zones for kids replete with inflatable games like bounce houses, castles, soccer fields, and slides. If you are an organizer or a parent, make sure that the following safety norms are being followed:
- Children shouldn’t be around when an inflatable shape is being inflated or deflated.
- They should be allowed inside an inflatable game under adult supervision only and kept away from the blower unit at all costs.
- Overcrowding inside a custom inflatable should be strictly forbidden, and entry and exit should be carefully monitored.
- No sharp objects are to be allowed near a custom inflatable.
- If an inflatable game starts to deflate without warning, children need to be led to safety immediately.
3. Inspect your custom inflatable before use
Before you set about to inflate your custom inflatable, here are a few things to look out for.
- Make sure the blower is firmly attached to the connector tube.
- Use manufacturer recommended blower only. Remember, it is an electrical appliance and ratings and recommendations matter, quite a bit, in fact!
- Make sure there’s no debris lodged between the blower’s blades and the intake and exit points are clean.
- Check for tears in the fabric or seams.
- If the over-pressure relief valve is working, your custom inflatable will not over-inflate. Make sure it is working. An over-inflated accessory can be hazardous to people in and around it!
- If your accessory looks saggy even with the blower running for some time, check for leaks.
- If your custom inflatable looks deformed after inflation, contact the manufacturer immediately and ask for professional help.
4. Do Not Pitch Your Inflatable Shape in High Wind
Gusts and high wind can be problematic for event tents and inflatables, even with all the anchoring. Watch out for the weather report before going about pitching your tent. It is better to stay away from outdoor events in stormy weather if your plan centers around a commercial canopy tent or an inflatable canopy.
5. Maintain Safe Distance from Potential Fire Hazards
You cannot be too cautious in a choc-a-bloc outdoor venue!
- Watch out for piles of flammable objects like paper cups, brochures, plastic items and other stuff. Steer clear of them.
- Pitch your tent as far as possible from flammable objects.
- Keep fire extinguishers handy.
- Keep safe distance from power lines.
- Make sure there’s a stable power supply available in the venue.
- Avoid venues that don’t have an emergency exit plan.
- Inform event organizers about anything that looks out of place.
Endnote
Commercial canopy tents and custom inflatables have reshaped the outdoor event landscape in modern times. We depend upon them for everything from brand promotion to good old-fashioned outdoor fun. Make sure you take good care of your accessory to make it last a lifetime.
