Call me worry wart!

[firemoe]

I don't want to bring on a downer thread, but I have to ask. Being a paramedic, I know that things happen.

A large part of my clowning will be ballooning. Is there any liability to me if I give a balloon to a child and that child hurts themselves ( or God forbid worse). If I have a smaller child I am ballooning for, I will ask a parent first. Is this enough?

Please make me feel more comfortable.

Thanks,
Firemoe

[Tiffany]

My contracts specifically states "balloons are choking hazards for children under 3. No entertainer will be required to make balloons for children under 3"

If there is a parent pushing the issue I state "I am handing you the balloon - please know these are choking hazards for small children. I have made it a bright color so if it does go down your child's throat EMS will be able to see it better. "
That usually gets their attention.

[Scruffy]

I clown for the red Cross. What Tiffany said is what we do. Under three, I hand it to the parent. If I'm not sure, I still hand it to the parent! You just can't take chances. My partner, Jasper is a paramedic and is always prepared for what could go wrong. So far, we have been blessed!

[Bumbles]

We do a lot of clowning for the Grotto and have a strict rule that no child 3 or under will be given a balloon if the parent makes a big deal about it we do the same, hand the balloon to the parent and inform them that we made the balloon with bright colors so that if they put it in their mouths and it breaks and goes down their throat the para medics will be able to find it and get it out before the child chokes on it.

We will give out stickers to the under age children that way they don't feel left out.

[Gladman]

This subject came up a while back and I very much appreciated the input from the more seasoned folks in our midst. (I'm being kind) One suggestion was to under inflate so they would be less apt to pop. I did this in India recently, at my son in law's house, for a three and a half year old little girl. No matter how much I warned the mother, she insisted that her daughter have a doggy. The kid immediately started chewing and sucking on the thing like it was her long lost pacifier. Mom didn't seem to have much authority over the situation. I'm just glad I made a soft one. All ended well. Yeah, and don't rely completely on the paramedics or your training. Sometimes a small piece can be pretty unreachable even for them, especially with Mom screaming hysterically.

[Bonkers #361]

My first balloon gig I had about 35 kids and I made balloons for a solid 2 hrs over that time I had the same parent bring the same child over and over again he was about 2 or 3 I warned that they are a choking hazard well DUMBO did not listen I started with a dog I figured what could he do to that POP then I made a sword POP then a Foot Ball POP I then thought of something that I learned is that if they are small make them a bracelet and guess what it worked you might try that if you have a DUMB STUPID Parent

[pixcoco]

I make the braclet one also. Like the turtle or the lady bug. If it goes on the ankle instead of the wrist it is even farther from the mouth. I also use bigger balloons like a 360 and yes I make it a little soft. It is bigger and harder to get in the mouth.

[pixcoco]

Also in regards to liability...You should have liability insurance.

[swissjoy]

I try to avoid giving balloons to kids 3 and under and was happy to find an alternative. When the parents push for a balloon for their toddler I explain to them the dangers and then hand them one of these floating animals. Usually they are very thankful. Then the kids can bite as much as they want. It's really fun to see when the kids quit crying!