From: Cloud9prty@aol.com
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 08:12:48 EDT
Subject: parents, responsibility and balloons
To: balloon@balloonhq.com

In a message dated 4/17/00 2:53:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
p_nardella@yahoo.com writes:

<< I also have the problem with the younger
 children....However, what I do is ask the parents if they want their
 younger children to have balloons....If they say its ok...then I give
 them one...sometimes its against my better judgement....but at least
 then I feel the parents are taking on the responsibility.. >>

Patricia, just because you are asking the parent if they want their child to 
have a balloon, doesn't mean the responsibility has shifted to the parents.  
It is your responsibilty to enlighten the parent that something awful can 
happen to the child if the balloon goes into the mouth.  I emphasize every 
time I reach a very small child that they often put it in their mouths and if 
it pops in their mouth, from being bitten or otherwise, then something awful 
can happen to their child, the least of which is being hospitalized.  then 
ask them , "with this in mind, do you think it might be a better idea for the 
safety of your child to not have a balloon him/her self?"  If they are 
insistent on it, tell them you care to much about their child's safety, and 
what you're willing to do is give them a "visual" - something cool to look 
at, that will remain in the parent's hands or on the parent's head so that it 
avoids the risk of anything bad occuring.  I myself, have turned this little 
"visual" bit into a humorous 5 minute long patter.  Check the archives if 
interested in knowing how it goes.

Jimmy Leo - CLoud 9 Balloons

P.S.  I have it added onto every contract I send out to private parties, that 
neither the entertainer nor the company using the entertainer is responsible 
should young children get hurt from putting balloons in their mouth.  It's 
one of the many ways that I protect myself.