Why can't I use an inflatable in rain/storms?

This is a very common question, especially for the inflatables rented for wet use, what's the big deal if it rains right??

The most significant difference is a wet use bounce houses are methodically designed for water use - a hose connects to a sprinkler attachment that wets the slide and runs down into a pool area. When we setup wet rentals we also take into account drainage (if the pool area overflows or when drained where does that go?) Rain isn't confined to the slide and pool though - it blankets EVERYTHING!

For the crowd rolling their eyes: We've had 3 notable incidents from customers leaving it running in rain/lightning/winds over 20MPH: 1) customer left blower running in storm and it shorted out the blower, tripped GFCI (was raining hard/blower was soaked) kept tripping when customer tried resetting it; 2) customer left blower running and water got between the extension cord and blower plug connection tripped GFCI, kept tripping due to short; 3) customer cut off unit during storm, but blew it back up afterward during high wind, winds damaged roof tethers (while we appreciate trying to dry it out have to be mindful of wind). It's not worth risking electrical shock, fire, or equipment damage.

General Safety: Once a bounce house gets wet it is slippery, bounce houses NOT designed for water use may not drain very well it'll puddle/pool in there (drainage is not ideal). There are also insurance implications to consider since we rent these as a business, these are more or less pool rules - DO NOT use a bounce house when it is raining, lightning, or winds over 20MPH. If the inflatable is wet and lightning strikes it can electrocute anyone on there. Lightning isn't predictable this is why places like water parks/pools make everyone get out of water during storms even if its just raining in case lightning occurs. Likewise we cannot setup in stormy weather 1) the inflatable will be wet as soon as we set it up and 2) for our own safety.

Business considerations: It's also very challenging to roll up and transport bounce houses that are soaking wet, ESPECIALLY the ones that are not for water use and it can take considerable time to dry them especially when water gets all inside the inflatables (I'm talking like where the air goes through inside where it is hard to get it out...) - same thing as rain vs. water use there is a huge difference in draining a pool, having a bit of water here and there elsewhere vs. having a 350lb inflatable covered in about 3 inches of water. Once we do get it back here we have to blow it up and let it dry out for several days (also weather permitting!), it cannot have any water left in/on the inflatable or it'll get moldy mildewy nasty! (more on that topic here)

Indoor setups: We can setup indoors, we've done several events in church/school gymnasiums, party rooms, garages, etc. that mitigates most all weather issues.