Family-Owned & Trusted Since 2002
Our Safety Promise: How Inflatable Party Magic Protects Your Family at Every DFW Event
State-inspected equipment, $1 million occurrence-based liability insurance, workers' compensation, commercially insured vehicles, professionally trained crews, and a rigorous cleaning protocol — because your family's safety is never negotiable.
When you trust a company to bring inflatable equipment to your child's birthday party, your church event, or your corporate gathering, you deserve to know exactly what safeguards are in place. This page explains every step we take — from state-mandated inspections and insurance to staff training, equipment cleaning, and real-time weather monitoring — so you can book with complete confidence.
Annual State of Texas Safety Inspections
Texas State Law requires all inflatable and amusement ride companies to be inspected annually. This law is enforced by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), the state regulatory body that oversees amusement ride safety. Inflatable Party Magic is fully compliant with TDI requirements and has been for the entirety of our 20+ years in business.
How Our Annual Inspection Works
Once a year, a TDI-approved state inspector visits our facility and conducts a thorough review of every item in our inventory. Here is what that process involves:
- We set up every bounce house, water slide, obstacle course, and amusement device for the inspector to examine.
- The inspector goes through every inch of each inflatable — checking seams, stitching, anchor points, blower connections, zippers, netting, and structural integrity.
- Photographs are taken of each unit for the state's records.
- The inspector files a detailed report with TDI on every piece of equipment.
- We receive official inspection stickers from the state, which we keep available as proof of compliance for any customer or venue that requests verification.
- TDI then lists our company on their website as a compliant vendor, along with every piece of equipment approved for public use.
You can verify our compliance directly on the TDI Current Inspections List. We encourage every customer to check that their chosen rental company appears on this list — many companies in the DFW area do not comply because inspections are costly, and those companies are operating illegally.
Beyond the annual requirement: Our team also inspects equipment ourselves after every single rental. The state mandates one check per year; we conduct hundreds.
Fully Insured — Above and Beyond State Minimums
Texas requires all inflatable and amusement ride companies to carry liability insurance. Inflatable Party Magic has always carried this coverage — even before it became a legal requirement. We began carrying liability insurance voluntarily when we started the business in 2002, years before the state mandated it. Our insurance carrier is the Oliver Van Dyke Insurance Agency.
Our Complete Insurance Coverage
- $1 Million Liability Insurance — protecting you and your guests in case of accident or equipment error
- Occurrence-Based Policy — our liability coverage is occurrence-based, meaning any incident that happens during your rental is covered regardless of when a claim is filed. This is the strongest form of protection for you as a customer.
- Coverage exceeds state-mandated minimums — because we believe in going the extra mile for your peace of mind
- Workers' Compensation Insurance — our employees are covered for on-the-job injuries during delivery, setup, and takedown, protecting both our team and your event
- Commercial Auto Insurance — every vehicle and trailer in our fleet is commercially insured for equipment transport, so you are never exposed to liability from our operations on the road
- Certificate of insurance available upon request — provided with every rental for venues and organizations that require it
- Covers personal protection and property damages — in case of accident or error on our part
⚠️ Why This Matters to You: Many DFW inflatable companies do not carry workers' compensation or commercial auto insurance. If an uninsured worker is injured at your event, or an uninsured delivery vehicle causes an accident, you could be held liable. A company that does not operate lawfully will often be cheaper — but their quality and your protection will be compromised.
⚠️ Ask about the policy type: Some companies carry cheaper claims-made insurance policies instead of occurrence-based policies. With a claims-made policy, if the company cancels or changes their policy after your event, any claim you file later — even for an incident that happened during your rental — may not be covered. An occurrence-based policy like ours covers any incident that takes place during your event period, no matter when the claim is filed. This is a critical difference that most customers never think to ask about.
Before you book with any company, ask to see their insurance certificate, verify it is an occurrence-based policy, and check their TDI compliance.
Professionally Trained, Background-Checked Staff
Inflatables may look simple to set up, but there is far more involved than what meets the eye to ensure they are appropriately anchored and safe for your children. Every member of our delivery and setup team goes through an intensive on-the-job training program lasting several weeks before they are allowed to deliver to customers.
Our staff must demonstrate mastery of proper setup procedures and safety protocols before they are cleared for customer-facing work. This includes correct anchoring techniques for different surface types (grass, concrete, indoor gym floors), proper inflation and stability checks, electrical safety with GFCI-protected circuits, and equipment-specific safety rules.
Our Staff Standards
- Background-checked delivery and setup crews
- Multi-week hands-on training before any solo customer delivery
- Professional and courteous conduct — held to the highest standards and accountability
- Uniformed, identifiable team members
- Management attends safety and business seminars annually to stay current with the latest industry trends and safety standards
- Full-time employees — not a side business with weekend-only workers
Inflatable Party Magic is a legitimate, full-time business with full-time, professionally trained employees. This is our livelihood — not a side hustle. The last thing you want on your event day is for a rental company to either show up late or not show at all. This happens in our industry more often than you might think because many inflatable businesses operate as side businesses.
Equipment Cleaning & Sanitization: Our 5-Step Process
Every bounce house, water slide, obstacle course, and inflatable is cleaned and sanitized after every single rental — no exceptions. We use commercial-grade and hospital-grade products to ensure your family is using equipment that is hygienic, fresh, and safe.
Our 5-Step Cleaning Protocol
Every unit is visually examined for debris, foreign objects, or any damage that occurred during the rental period.
Commercial-grade cleaners are used to wash away all dirt, grime, grass stains, and residue from every surface of the inflatable.
Hospital-grade, EPA-approved disinfectants are applied to eliminate germs, bacteria, and viruses — ensuring hygienic conditions for the next family.
Proper drying prevents mold and mildew growth. We never fold and store wet equipment — every unit is completely dry before it is stored.
Before any unit leaves our facility for your event, it receives one final inspection to confirm it is in pristine, rental-ready condition.
Our standard: If a rental company cannot describe their cleaning process in detail when you ask, that is a red flag. You should feel confident that the equipment arriving at your home or venue is truly clean — not just quickly wiped down.
Commercial-Grade Equipment Standards
All of our bounce houses and inflatables are lead-free, commercial-grade units manufactured by reputable U.S. manufacturers. Commercial-grade inflatables use heavier-duty 18–22 oz vinyl with reinforced stitching and commercial-grade zippers — designed to withstand the rigors of frequent public rental use.
This is a significant difference from the consumer-grade, residential inflatables sold at retail stores, which use lighter 13–15 oz vinyl materials not intended for frequent or public use.
Equipment Safety Features
- Lead-free commercial-grade vinyl (18–22 oz) from reputable U.S. manufacturers
- Reinforced stitching at all seams and high-stress points
- Safety netting at entry/exit points and elevated areas
- Splash pools with protective walls on water slides
- Proper anchor points at every corner for stakes or sandbag attachment
- Posted safety rules on every inflatable unit
- Regular maintenance and repair between inspections
Professional Setup & Proper Anchoring
Every rental from Inflatable Party Magic includes professional delivery, setup, and takedown by our trained crew. We never ask customers to set up their own equipment — because proper installation is one of the most important safety factors for any inflatable.
When our crew arrives, they assess your location and determine the best setup approach based on your specific surface type, available space, and conditions:
🌿 Grass Setup (Preferred)
Inflatables are staked directly into the ground using 18–24 inch metal stakes driven at 45-degree angles for maximum hold. Grass is the preferred surface because stakes provide the strongest anchoring. Wind limit: up to 20 mph when staked.
🏫 Concrete / Asphalt
When stakes cannot be used, we anchor with heavy-duty sandbags (40–50 lbs each) at every anchor point. Sandbag setups are an extra charge and are not permitted in winds over 15 mph to meet manufacturer regulations and ensure safety.
🏋️ Indoor Setup
We supply specialized equipment to keep inflatables from moving on gym floors. Please let us know at the time of booking so we can prepare properly, and confirm the height of your indoor space so the inflatable you choose will fit.
Setup Space Requirements
Before your rental arrives, please verify that your setup area meets these requirements:
- Clear pathway with a minimum 4-foot-wide gate or door for equipment access
- Flat surface or one with very little grade
- Overhead clearance — no tree branches or power lines above
- GFCI-protected electrical outlet within 100 feet (no daisy-chaining extension cords — this can overheat blowers or cause a fire)
- Water hose connection nearby for water slides (you supply the hoses)
- Generator rental required if you are setting up at a park — most parks do NOT have electricity available
Weather Safety Policy
DFW weather can be unpredictable, especially during spring and fall. We take weather conditions seriously because wind is the single biggest safety risk for inflatable equipment. Here is our policy:
| Condition | Our Policy |
|---|---|
| Wind over 15 mph (sandbag setup) | Not permitted. Equipment cannot operate on sandbag anchoring above 15 mph. |
| Wind over 20 mph (staked setup) | Remove all riders immediately and unplug the unit. |
| Lightning visible or thunder heard | Clear the bounce house immediately and shut down the blower. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming. |
| Heavy rain with lightning or wind | Clear children within 2 minutes. Deflate equipment if lightning or high winds are present. |
| Temperature over 90°F (dry inflatables) | We recommend water slides instead — vinyl heats up in direct sun and can burn skin on dry units. Dry inflatables should not be used above 90°F. |
| Severe weather forecast | If we determine weather conditions make operation unsafe, we reserve the right to cancel. You may cancel before setup and receive a full refund for everything except the deposit (the deposit will be applied to a rain-check good for one year) or convert your full payment to a one-year raincheck. |
Our guiding principle: When in doubt, we shut it down. No party is worth an injured child. We ask that parents and event hosts adopt this same philosophy.
Safety Rules for Every Rental
Every rental from Inflatable Party Magic includes written safety rules that are emailed to you before your event and posted directly on the inflatable. These rules are tailored for each specific item you rent. Here is a summary of our standard safety rules:
Standard Inflatable Safety Rules
- Adult supervision is required at all times — this is non-negotiable
- Age groups must not be mixed — separate smaller children from older kids and teens
- Follow rider limits listed in your rental contract for each specific unit
- Remove shoes, jewelry, glasses, and sharp objects before entering
- No food, drinks, pets, or water inside dry units
- No climbing on outside walls, roof, or rafters
- No roughhousing — no flipping, pushing, fighting, or wrestling
- One slider at a time on any slide — no head-first sliding
- Do not spray water on dry units — vinyl becomes extremely slippery
- In rain or wind over 15 mph: remove all riders and unplug the unit immediately
- Do not turn the blower on and off repeatedly
- Do not move the unit after setup — it must stay staked/anchored in place
- Never jump on a partially inflated unit
- Make sure the entry is zipped or closed during use
- Remove all personal belongings before pickup — we are not responsible for items left inside
- Do not add extra extension cords or relocate the blower without approval
Weather Cancellation & Refund Policy
We understand that Texas weather is unpredictable. Your safety is always our first priority, and we never want you to feel pressured to use equipment in unsafe conditions. Here is how our weather-related cancellation policy works:
Weather Cancellation (We Determine Unsafe)
If we determine that weather conditions (lightning, high winds, etc.) make operation unsafe, we reserve the right to cancel. You may either receive a full refund of all payments made or convert your payment to a one-year raincheck.
Customer-Initiated Cancellation
Deposits are non-refundable but can be converted to a one-year raincheck. If you've paid in full, you may receive a refund of the amount above your deposit (minus 5% restocking & credit-card fee), or apply 100% as a raincheck.
Date Changes — No Extra Fee
Life happens — we get it. You may change your party date or swap to a different unit at any time at no extra charge. We want to make sure you get the right equipment on the right day.
Important: Items cancelled at delivery with less than 24-hour notice are non-refundable, with no rainchecks or credits. Items cancelled on the day of delivery are subject to a 25% restocking fee. Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before your event to receive a raincheck.
How to Verify Any Party Rental Company's Safety (Questions to Ask Before You Book)
Whether you choose us or another company, we want you to be safe. After 20+ years in the industry, we've seen companies cut corners — and we want DFW families to know how to protect themselves. Ask these questions before booking with any inflatable rental company:
- Are you insured? — Ask to see their certificate of insurance. Texas law requires it.
- Is your liability policy occurrence-based or claims-made? — An occurrence-based policy protects you even if a claim is filed long after your event. A cheaper claims-made policy may leave you unprotected if the company changes carriers or drops coverage after your rental.
- Do you carry workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance? — If a worker is injured at your venue or a delivery vehicle causes damage, you need to know the company is covered.
- Are your inflatables state-inspected? — Verify on the TDI Current Inspections List.
- How do you clean between rentals? — They should describe a multi-step process including sanitization.
- Who sets up the equipment? — Professional crew setup is essential. Customer self-setup is a red flag.
- What is your wind policy? — They should have clear, specific wind speed limits.
- Do you provide written safety instructions? — Rules should be posted on the inflatable and provided in writing before the rental.
- What happens in bad weather? — Look for a flexible rescheduling policy that protects you.
- Do you require a deposit? — All reputable companies require a deposit. If they don't, they may not show up on your party day.
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For
- No insurance certificate provided upon request
- Claims-made insurance policy instead of occurrence-based coverage
- No workers' compensation or commercial auto coverage
- Customer self-setup instead of professional crew delivery
- Visibly dirty or damaged equipment arriving at your event
- No safety instructions provided or posted on equipment
- Unusually low prices — safety equipment and insurance cost money
- No written contract or unclear terms
- No deposit required — we get calls every weekend from people whose rental company did not show up
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Safety Standards
Yes. We carry $1 million in occurrence-based liability insurance through the Oliver Van Dyke Insurance Agency — exceeding Texas state minimums. An occurrence-based policy means any incident during your rental is covered regardless of when a claim is filed, which is the strongest protection available. We also carry workers' compensation insurance and commercial auto insurance on every vehicle and trailer in our fleet. We are inspected annually by a TDI-approved state inspector and are listed on the TDI website as a compliant vendor. We have maintained full compliance for our entire 20+ year history.
If a rental company's employee is injured setting up at your event and they don't carry workers' comp, you could be held liable for medical costs. Similarly, if an uninsured delivery truck causes an accident on the way to your venue, you could face exposure. Inflatable Party Magic carries both — protecting our team and protecting you. Most rental companies in DFW do not carry these additional policies because of the cost.
These are the two main types of liability insurance policies, and the difference matters directly to you as a customer. An occurrence-based policy (what we carry) covers any incident that happens during the policy period, regardless of when a claim is eventually filed. So if something happens at your event and you file a claim weeks or months later, you are still fully covered.
A claims-made policy is cheaper for the company to carry, but it only covers claims that are both incurred and reported while the policy is active. If the rental company switches insurance carriers, lets their policy lapse, or goes out of business after your event, a claim you file later could be denied — even though the incident happened while the policy was supposedly in effect. Claims-made policies put the financial risk on you. We carry an occurrence-based policy because it provides our customers with the strongest, most reliable protection available.
We follow a 5-step cleaning protocol after every rental: (1) debris removal and post-rental inspection, (2) deep cleaning with commercial-grade cleaners, (3) sanitization with hospital-grade, EPA-approved disinfectants, (4) complete drying to prevent mold and mildew, and (5) a pre-delivery final inspection before the unit goes to your event.
Equipment on sandbag setups (concrete/asphalt surfaces) cannot operate in winds above 15 mph. Equipment staked into grass has a limit of 20 mph. If we determine conditions are unsafe, we will cancel and offer you a full refund or a one-year raincheck. We will never pressure you to use equipment in unsafe conditions.
Our professionally trained, background-checked staff handle all delivery, setup, and takedown. We never ask customers to set up their own equipment. Proper installation — including correct anchoring for your specific surface type — is critical for safety and is always handled by our crew.
Yes. We provide a certificate of insurance with every rental upon request. Many venues, churches, schools, and corporate facilities require this documentation, and we are happy to supply it.
Yes. Safety rules are emailed to you before your event and are physically posted on every inflatable unit. These rules are tailored to each specific item you rent — because a water slide has different safety considerations than a bounce house or obstacle course.
Every bounce house requires at least one blower, which needs a GFCI-protected outlet within 100 feet. Extension cords cannot be daisy-chained — this can cause the blower or cord to overheat and is a fire hazard. If your inflatable requires more than one blower, you'll need another outlet on a separate breaker. No electrical access at your location? You can rent a generator from us.
Yes — always. Adult supervision is the single most important safety factor for any inflatable rental. The supervising adult should have a clear line of sight into the entire inflatable, give it their undivided attention (no phone or chatting), enforce rules immediately, and manage entry and exit to prevent overcrowding. For longer events, we recommend rotating supervisors in 30-minute shifts to prevent fatigue.
Book with the DFW Company That Puts Your Family's Safety First
Family-owned since 2002. State-inspected. Fully insured with occurrence-based liability, workers' comp, and commercial auto. 1,200+ five-star reviews from DFW families who trust us with their most important celebrations.
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