7 Care and Safety Tips for Inflatable Water Slides

Both kids and kids at heart can find oodles of fun with inflatable water slides. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple themed slip-and-slide, something with extra features like a “dunk tank,” or an obstacle course. Inflatable water slides are designed for maximum enjoyment.

To further ensure that everyone has a great time, it’s best to remember a few safety rules along with some care tips about slipping, sliding, and jumping on these colorful, blow-up structures. Here are some key things to remember to prevent injuries and keep inflatable water slides in good shape.

Don’t Over-Inflate the Slide

Think of an inflatable water slide like a balloon. If you fill it with too much air, it will explode. With such a huge structure as an inflatable water slide, an explosion can cause so much more than a few seconds of surprise. To prevent over-inflation, pay attention to the pressure release valve. When it starts releasing air, that’s your cue to stop. Do note that there are some inflatable water slides that are continual air models. If this is the case, you don’t have to worry about over-inflating.

Keep Sharp Objects Away

Obviously, you should keep any and all sharp objects away from an inflatable water slide to reduce the risk of puncturing it. An inflatable water slide is made from much stronger materials than a regular balloon, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry. Remove earrings, hair clips and pins, clothing with zippers or hooks, and the like before entering.

Clear the Area

Before you set up the water slide, make sure that the area is clear and as flat as possible. Again, make sure there aren’t any sharp objects like branches or thorns, sharp rocks, stray nails, or other objects that can cut or puncture the material. Repairing an inflatable water slide is simple enough, but you don’t want to be worrying about repairs when you can instead be enjoying, right?

Avoid Roughhousing

As earlier mentioned, inflatable water slides are made from heavy-duty materials that can support even the weight of multiple adults. Still, this isn’t a reason to engage in rough play like wrestling or excessive jumping at the same time. This could cause the water slide to burst and cause serious injuries. If there are children playing on the inflatable water slide, tell them to take turns to ensure safety.

Follow Age and Weight Restrictions

Usually, children who are younger than 5 years old are discouraged to play on inflatable water slides. In addition, people who weigh over 275 to 300 pounds may not be allowed. The latter is dependent on the size and type of inflatable water slide, however. For complete details and specifications, check with the supplier and then relay this information to everyone who will be using the inflatable water slide. If you need something with higher weight restrictions, contact your supplier and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Don’t Leave the Kids Unattended

It goes without saying that if kids are going to play on the inflatable water slide, there should always be an adult supervising them. If you’re renting, there’s usually an attendant who will come to keep an eye on things (though this depends on the supplier and the attendant is mainly focused on the maintenance of the slide). Still, it’s always best to have another set of eyes to keep a watch on the children as they play.

No Need for Special Soaps

Keeping a water slide clean is easy. There’s no need to use disinfectants or special cleaners. Some regular detergent (even dish soap) and warm water will do. This way, the material won’t get discolored or get thinned. Once you’ve rinsed thoroughly, make sure to dry the inflatable water slide completely before storage. Check every nook and cranny, especially the areas where the materials crease since these can trap water and develop mold and mildew. Air-drying in the shade is ideal, but exposure to the sun for about an hour is okay if you want to speed up the drying a little bit.

Having fun on an inflatable water slide doesn’t mean you should forget about safety and proper usage instructions. Keep these tips in mind to maximize enjoyment and minimize unpleasant experiences.