Category Archives: Blog

Family Vacation Planning Post COVID

In the post COVID-19 pandemic environment, travel isn’t as simple as it was in the past. Those planning on a family vacation will have many more things to consider and requirements to meet than before. One simple omission could put the brakes on a well-deserved respite.

Passport

Travel outside the U.S. requires a passport. If you’re applying for the first time or need to renew, begin the process early. The U.S. Department of State is behind. Routine processing can take up to 3 months. Expedited processing, which costs extra, can take up to 2 months.

Vaccine Cards and Masks

A vaccination card is critical and travelers should be current on all boosters. COVID-related requirements vary widely among countries. Some require a negative test within a specified number of days prior to boarding a plane, while others require a minimum quarantine time upon arrival.

Some countries still have mask requirements in place within certain indoor areas or when utilizing public transportation. Masks should be worn over the nose and mouth. Be prepared for changes. Countries can, and do, change their rules according to rates of infection and the situation can change at a moment’s notice. Travel bans may be instituted.

Rates

The cost of airfare and accommodations have increased significantly. Be prepared to pay more, but still shop around for the best rates. Deals are still available, but individuals will need to do the legwork online to find them – or book with a travel agent who should be able to keep you advised of current COVID requirements.

Travel Insurance

Be aware that not all travel insurance plans cover COVID-related interruptions or cancellations, while others cover some situations but not all. Purchasing “cancel for any reason” coverage will provide individuals with some reimbursement, even if it doesn’t cover the full cost.

Travel insurance may or may not include quarantine-related delays and losses. Some of the policies provide benefits ranging from $100 to $2,000 per day, along with medical coverage for quarantine or hospitalization. Choose “interruption for any reason” coverage.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Best Springs to Visit in Florida 2022

Florida is well-known for its water-related activities, beautiful beaches and the Everglades. What many don’t know is that the state is also home to almost 700 natural freshwater springs, many of which also have underwater caves where individuals can go snorkeling.

Three Sisters Springs

Located in Crystal River, the site features pristine water and the opportunity to view manatees. The only way to access the springs is by canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

Madison Blue Spring State Park

The spring’s waters are crystal clear, with a depth of 25 ft. and a width of almost 82 ft. Visitors can swim, dive, or see the underwater caves. A variety of land and aquatic wildlife reside there, including catfish, sunfish and turtles.

Ginnie Springs

Scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing are just some of the activities that can be enjoyed in the turquoise water. Rafting and tubing are also popular pastimes at the springs.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

The site is actually a combination of nearly 30 individual springs. One of the springs releases 100 cubic ft. of water per second. Visitors will find fresh and saltwater wildlife, including the West Indian manatee, that can be viewed through an underwater observatory. Land animals include black bears, the Florida panther, red wolves and a resident hippo.

Rainbow Springs

The spring has a history going back 10,000 years and maintains a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. They range in depth from 5 to 18 ft. in depth. The site includes waterfalls, the opportunity to go tubing, camping, snorkeling and scuba diving. A rainbow of blossoms is on display during the spring.

Devil’s Den Spring

Located in a prehistoric cave, the water is a pleasing 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Swimming isn’t allowed and the company that owns it charges an admission fee, but it can be well worth the experience for scuba divers.

Silver Glen Springs

Take a glass bottom boat ride for a view of manatees and a wealth of aquatic wildlife. Visitors can also stop in at the Silver River Museum and Cracker Village that’s a recreation of a 19th century pioneer village.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Who Should Not Use a Bounce House

Bounce houses are extremely popular, as evidenced by the long lines of children waiting to use them. Bounce houses are safe to use with proper supervision and provide a fun entertainment for at home or for any special event. However, there are some children that shouldn’t be allowed to use a bounce house for their own safety or under certain circumstances.

The first rule of safety for a bounce house is to have a responsible adult monitor it at all times. That includes controlling the number of children inside at one time and watching for those that aren’t following the rules. An adult should be on duty at all times in the event that a problem with inflation occurs or a storm blows in.

Mixing Younger and Older Children

Mixing children of different sizes is dangerous. Safely using a bounce house means having users of similar age and size using it and the same time.

Large Groups

Bounce house participants should be limited to small groups, preferably of the same relative size and weight. Youngsters can get overly enthusiastic with their jumps and bounds, which can lead to falls and broken limbs.

Shoes and Sharp Objects

Children should never enter a bounce house while wearing shoes. It’s detrimental to the bounce house and can result in an injury to other youngsters. Users should remove jewelry and be free of sharp objects in pockets.

Wind and Rain

No child should be allowed to play in a bounce house when it’s windy or raining. A breeze that can blow paper, sand or dirt around is strong enough to move around a bounce house, even when appropriately anchored. Moisture coming in on children’s feet makes for an extremely slippery surface that can result in any number of injuries.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Crocs Have Made a Comeback!

Love them or hate them, Crocs™ are here to stay and the brand is stronger than ever. The foam clogs were making a comeback and the COVID-19 pandemic helped propel the trend. People became more interested in comfort while working from home and women, in particular, were happy to kick the high heel habit. Crocs™ had $1.1 billion in revenue during the last half of 2021.

The lightweight shoes were originally designed for boating, featuring a secure grip and odor resistance. However, the footwear quickly gained popularity as standard fare for all types of recreational pursuits and even in professional environments. They lost favor among wearers for a while, but they’re back with a vengeance.

More than 300 million pairs of the brightly colored footwear have been sold and they’re now offered in glittery styles and emblazoned with popular superheroes and Disney characters. Rhinestone-encrusted Crocs™ even had their day on the catwalk during London Fashion Week thanks to British designer, Christopher Kane. A shimmering gold version even appeared on the red carpet at the Academy Awards in 2021, worn by musician Questlove.

Crocs™ has counted among its fans movie stars to presidents. Different collections are available ranging from a Bistro line to All-Terrain Terrazzo. The brand is also popular with those who value environmentally-friendly options, as the company is poised to be a Net Zero brand by 2030 with sustainable ingredients, packaging and responsible use of resources.

Comfort and durability are two of the primary reasons people flock to Crocs™. They also appreciate the waterproof aspect, along with the ease with which the shoes can be cleaned. Consumers have more than 50 designs from which to choose and the more streamlined design is reminiscent of Italian styling.

The brand’s footwear has been controversial since its founding, due to the clog’s appearance. That no longer seems to be a problem for a nation seeking an all-around, alternative footwear solution that’s focused on comfort. Just don’t forget some Jibbitz charms to dress up and customize the Crocs™.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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What to Consider When Renting a Bounce House

Bounce houses are one of the most popular entertainments for small children. Individuals can now bring the fun and excitement to their own yard with rentable inflatables. The bright colors and themes are a sure-fire way to enliven any children’s event. However, there are some things to consider before renting a bounce house of which everyone should be aware.

Age Limits

Bounce houses should only be used by children between the ages of 6 to 12 for safety. Any child in a bounce house should be able to exit on their own and children under the age of 6 don’t have the coordination or motor skills required to navigate the inflatables.

Size Matters

It’s important to rent the right size bounce house for the ages and number of children that will be using it to ensure enough room to bounce safely. Children of the same approximate weight – or the same age – should be grouped together to mitigate inequities in force when youngsters are playing.

Insurance

It’s possible that a homeowner’s insurance policy will cover any potential injuries or property damage if the inflatable malfunctions, but check first. Always ensure that the rental company has insurance, what type and what’s covered.

Contracts and Waivers

Individuals will need to sign a waiver when the equipment is delivered to verify that they’ll take responsibility for the inflatable and how it’s used. Be sure to get a written contract, read it, and understand the terms before signing. Individuals shouldn’t sign any paperwork when the inflatable is delivered unless they’ve inspected it for damage. Never sign paperwork that says “as-is.”

Proper Positioning

The bounce house must be set up on level ground free of rocks, twigs and debris. It must be positioned away from close proximity with fences, structures, trees, and electrical lines. The inflatable must be secured to the ground and most companies will do this as part of the rental contract. A generator might need to be rented separately to adequately inflate the bounce house.

Supervision

A bounce house must have responsible adult supervision at all times to enforce rules. Those include no shoes in the bounce house and no sharp objects that might puncture the inflatable. That means checking the pockets of users. If rain or wind is present, remove the children to a safe location and turn off the generator that keeps the bounce house inflated.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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How do Bounce Houses Inflate?

Anyone that considers renting a bounce house must ensure access to electricity is available. There’s no way that home air pumps will generate the air required to sufficiently inflate a bounce house. High-powered, 5500-watt gas-operated generators, complete with a full tank of gas, are available to rent that have the needed strength to inflate all the cracks and crannies of a bounce house.

Essentially, a bounce house blower is a big fan that injects air into the bounce house through an air tube attached to the inflatable. Generators are either electrical or gas operated and are left running while children are using the entertainment. There are vents built into the inflatable to allow for the escape of air as children jump and bounce. A small amount of air will also be evacuated through the inflatable’s seams – even a brand-new bounce house.

Some people worry about over inflation, viewing a bounce house as little more than an oversize balloon, but it’s virtually impossible to overinflate a bounce house. Renting a generator from the same company as the inflatable ensures individuals have the right size generator for the job. The bounce house will inflate quicker and ensure firmness for optimal operation.

Once the bounce house has been inflated sufficiently, an adult will need to be on dedicated duty at the inflatable at all times. The individual will be responsible for enforcing safety rules. Users will need to remove their shoes before entering the bounce house and the adult will need to ensure too many children aren’t in the inflatable at the same time.

It’s important that children of approximately the same weight be grouped together to avoid inequities of force when youngsters jump. The adult will also be responsible for ensuring that no sharp objects enter the entertainment that could potentially puncture the bounce house. Never let children under the age of 6 use a bounce house as they lack the motor skills and balance required to be safe.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Tips for Planning a Family Reunion

A family reunion is the perfect occasion to catch up on what families are doing, let cousins get reacquainted, and visit with far flung relatives. The gathering can be held in the back yard or at a posh venue. A successful gathering will depend on proper preparation long before the event takes place. Some family reunions are one-day events, while others take place over an entire weekend. Decide on duration early.

Location

The number of attendees will dictate location. That’s why it’s essential to send out notification of the event early. Even a year before hand isn’t too early. Once everyone has responded, it will be easy to plan everything from the location to the food.

Activities and Amusements

While many attendees will want to spend their time talking and taking photos, it’s always a good idea to include some games and activities. It can encompass simple games such as horseshoes, a bean bag toss or a scavenger hunt. A game of baseball may be welcome.

Individuals can even choose to offer dancing. Portable dance floors can be rented and music can be provided via a band, DJ or through streaming a mix list.

Food

A catered event will eliminate headaches about the menu, but it can also be expensive. Many families take a potluck approach. It’s an opportunity for family to share their favorite dishes or award-winning recipes.

Pot luck meals work if attendees are fairly local, but extra food will need to be arranged to accommodate appetites if long-distance relatives will be in attendance. Don’t forget to ascertain if anyone is vegan or has food allergies and share that information with others if a pot luck is planned.

Tables and Chairs

Ample seating and table space is critical, not only for a place to place the food, but for people to sit and eat. A rented venue will take care of those needs, but it’s something to consider if it’s a less formal environment.

Comfort and Weather

Storms and squalls can blow in at any time. Events at indoor venues provide shelter in the event of a storm and air conditioning for relief from the hot and humid summer weather. If the event isn’t at the host’s home or a rented venue, plan on renting tents and a portable air conditioner for the tent.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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5 Bounce House Safety Rules for a Fun Party

Few youngsters can resist the springiness of a bounce house and it’s one of the most often sought inflatables for parties involving young children. They’re also one of the top rentals by church groups and non-profit organizations for community events. Before making the decision to rent a bounce house for a children’s party, there are 5 critical safety rules that everyone should know and enforce.

Adult Supervision

An adult should be present at all times when a child is in a bounce house. Never leave children unattended. The adult will be responsible for monitoring youngsters and ensuring that too many children aren’t in the inflatable at the same time. Inflatables also have weight limits for each child. Try to place children of a similar size in the bounce house at the same time.

Bounce houses are never safe for children under the age of 6 – they lack the coordination and balance needed to use them. Set rules that no tumbling, flips or wrestling is allowed and remove any child that doesn’t follow the rules.

Pick a Place

The location where a bounce house will operate is a critical safety component. The ground should be flat, free of sticks and rocks, and not set on any protrusions such as irrigation sprinkler heads. Never set bounce houses near sheds, fences or other type of structures. Take care that the inflatable isn’t near overhead electric lines or tree limbs.

Shoes and Sharp Objects

It’s important that youngsters remove shoes, jewelry and other items before they enter the inflatable. Be sure that children aren’t carrying anything in their pockets that could potentially puncture the bounce house.

Weather Concerns

Never let children in the bounce house in weather conditions that are rainy or windy, if lightning is seen, or thunder is heard. Wind that are strong enough to blow about small branches, dust or paper presents a danger to a bounce house and those using it. Have children exit and move them to a safe area.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Best Entertainments for Kids Outdoor Parties

Anyone that’s ever hosted a kid’s party knows the advantages of holding it outdoors. Attendees can work off excess energy and cleaning up is much easier. There are any number of interest-grabbing entertainments of which individuals can avail themselves. Hosts can choose old-school games and activities or select inflatables for those that want to create a lasting impression.

Inflatables

The sheer selection of available inflatables can be overwhelming, with choices for kids of any age. There are bounce houses and water slides for the younger set. For older kids, there are 40-ft. high water slides, mazes, obstacle courses, and mechanical rides. Sports games are always popular and include bungee trampolines, rock walls, Zorb balls, mini golf and sumo arenas. Inflatable carnival games such as skee ball are also available.

Glam Party

For teen and tween girls, a glam party is sure to please. Professionals bring the salon to the home with make-up, nail and hair styles for any young woman.

Scavenger Hunt

Hosts don’t need to spend a lot to host a nature-based scavenger hunt. The activity can be as simple or elaborate as desired.

Water Balloon Fight

Water balloons are an excellent, budget-friendly activity. It’s a great way for youngsters to keep cool and water balloons are a perennial favorite for kids of all ages.

Limbo

While it may bring to mind memories of the 1950s for hosts, it requires little in the way of equipment and few kids can resist the body-bending activity.

Magicians

“Magic” mesmerizes young and old and it’s a particularly good option for younger generations.

Movie Night

This is a great activity for overnight parties during warmer months. It can be tailored to boys or girls and keeps attendees occupied. It can be accomplished with a very large outdoor TV or with a projector and sheet. Just serve some popcorn and let the show begin.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Catering Ideas to Make Your Event Memorable

Buffet-style catering is by far the most popular idea for informal social parties. It’s also great for DIY people that enjoy cooking and the clean-up is fairly quick and easy. There are four basic types of catering – wedding, corporate, social and concession. Working with a professional caterer eliminates stress and they have multiple menus and options from which to choose.

The type of catering will obviously depend on the guests and the specific reason for the event. A full-service professional caterer does more than simply deliver the food. They also serve it in an appealing way and provide the table service, along with tables, seating and décor. In many instances, a caterer can also book a special venue and provide entertainment if desired.

Backyard BBQ

There are caterers that can actually roast a pig or side of beef in the client’s backyard. BBQ style events typically have a western theme, but can also take on an international flavor.

Tropical

Bring on the tiki torches and mocktails. A tropical themed event can incorporate a variety of elements and dishes from multiple island nations.

Retro

Individuals can let their imaginations run wild with a retro party. Catering can accommodate food and décor from the 1920s to visions of ancient Egypt. A retro party can include themes from movies and TV shows.

Toga

Believe it or not, toga parties are still in style. They don’t emulate the sense of a frat house as in popular movies, instead exuding a sense of the opulence and decadence of Rome.

Clean Eating

Fresh, locally sourced menus take center stage to highlight these events. They feature menus that can be served in various ways and fit in with virtually any décor or theme.

International

For those that prefer an international touch, caterers can take a page from the Scottish Highlands, Bollywood and Paris to Britain’s royalty, a Brazilian carnival or Mexican fiesta.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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