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Mike Robbins Elite user Anchorage, Alaska 447 Posts |
At one of my Drug/Alcohol prevention shows today, there was a sign on the wall saying that no latex products could be brought in to the building as there was a child with a medical condition that prevented this. When I informed them that I left my balloons out in the car, they told me I could perform the "Air Head Rudy" as that child was not there today.
I had never seen this before, but like a lot of things like peanut/peanut butter allergies, I'm starting to see this more and more. I've been wanting to take the Air Head Rudy out of the act and this will be my impetus for it. But I also use a vanishing ketchup bottle and I'm thinking that it is also probably latex. I don't have any particular question about this. I just wanted to share the experience. Mike
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
You most likely can leave your Ketchup Bottle in as I believe they are made out of vinyl.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
I've never heard of anything like this. It's such a rarity I wouldn't change my act permanently because of it.
Hopefully if I ever did encounter the problem I'd get a bit of notice and adapt my show for just that booking.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Tim Zager Loyal user Kansas City 222 Posts |
I have noticed this more and more in schools in my area. It has gotten to the point that I feel like I need to call ahead to make sure there is no problem.
Tim |
mystic mickey New user 62 Posts |
I see the same thing, from simple to serious. I now ask if I can use confetti, after an irrate mom freaked at having to vacuum. I did it for her in 3 minutes, but have asked ever since.
I have been asked not to use fire effects, live animals, spider puppets, crosses, guns, knives, any reference to weapons or war, loud noises, whistles, fake blood, naughty language like "boogers, tinkle, or potty." Some mom even said no movie or TV references. Luckily I got a Peter Rabbit book trick past her. After 9/11 folks were very nervous (I live in Manhattan and Long Island...and yes I was in the city about 30 blocks N of the tragedy). Parents even tell me how far I can go in a Halloween show. Hey, look, I do what I'm told, but I ask a lot more questions via the phone, after I get the deposit check in the mail. You can't be too careful. Anything can offend anyone. |
magiker Loyal user Sweden 283 Posts |
I had this problem at a show last year, "please don't do any balloon animals as we have a child that is allergic to latex". At least I was told when I was booked. Only the one so far.
Magiker
Believe in the possibility of the impossible |
DanTheMagicMan Regular user Edgewater, Maryland USA 139 Posts |
Some hospitals have banned latex balloons because of allergies. Apparently, some doctors and nurses have developed allergies to latex after wearing latex gloves for years.
Dan The Magic Man
e-mail:[email]info@familymagicshows.com[/email] web site:www.familymagicshows.com MagicEvents.org - View or subscribe to upcoming magic events and birthdays. |
Andini Special user Columbus, OH 685 Posts |
I often do shows at a children's hospital and they won't let me do balloons due to latex allergy. Luckily, using a balloon isn't crucial to my show and I'm able to survive without it.
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Latex allergies can be pretty serious causing the person to go into anaphlylactic shock. It's for this reason that most hospitals won't allow entertainers to bring in balloons.
Latex, orginally from Rubber trees ooze a sap which causes severe allergic reactions. Strangely enough, healthcare workers are usually the ones that develop an allergy to latex even though having worked with it for years. It's for this reason that most hospitals are now latex free zones. hope that helped. |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
The FIRST pro show I did at the age of 9 (I made $10) I baked a cake in a hat and made one of the kids sick because they were allerigic to wheat.
I always ask if they are any kids with special needs or allergies. At least you're covered then. |
yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Greetings.
The peanut thing is pretty serious now-- apparently some people can have a reaction just being in the presence of some nuts. Joe |
DougTait Elite user Sebring, FL 492 Posts |
I believe that the person has to come in contact with the latex before any harm is done. I have been advised that just having a latex product in the vicinity should not create a problem.
I use latex puppets from time to time and have been told to give them a light coat of Armor-All before doing shows in hospitals. Neverthless, I never allow the children to handle the latex puppets.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing."
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Mike Robbins Elite user Anchorage, Alaska 447 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-10-26 20:55, DougTait wrote: That is what they told me in this venue as well. Mike
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Again,
You're absolutely right...coming into close proximity to latex won't cause a reaction. Ironically, I have a latex allergy yet still continue to make balloon animals with no problem whatsoever...but would never put one in my mouth or would experience a severe allergic reaction. Thank gawd for pumps and a dentist that purchases horrible blue plastic gloves just for me!! Not meaning to get off topic but there was a previous post sometime back about giving balloons to children under the age of two which I strongly advised against. Mainly for choking reasons but also as youngsters of that age place items in their mouths—allergic reactions are something to consider too. Peanut butter allergies are far more serious. Even eating a food, like a cookie for example, that touched another cookie containing peanuts can cause a serious medical problem. As recently as two weeks ago I was transferred by my school district to a new school to teach first graders for two reasons. The school has two first graders that have severe peanut allergies and secondly they have in the past paid for me to have seizure management, CPR, First Aid ect...as I normally work with medically fragile children. Every single child and staff must wash their hands at least three times daily with disinfectant soap. Just in case children have gone home for lunch and touched anything containing peanuts. All lunches are checked at snack time and lunch. Signs are posted at every single entrance to the school identifying it as a nut free zone...hmm but they let me in anyway...ha ha! Egads lame humor...sorry. Why is the district so picky you might ask? Sadly a few children have passed in recent years from peanut allergies as there is only minutes to spare to save their lives and luckily if an epi pen is handy. Always better to be cautious. Thanks for your post Mike, as it always helps to know things like this. |
Mike Robbins Elite user Anchorage, Alaska 447 Posts |
Believe it or not, I ran into another school today with a "Latex-Free" sign. They also did not want any plants or flowers in the building.
Mike
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Egads! I reread my post and sound like a "know it all" I'm thinking. Didn't mean to come across that way- just always want the kids to be safe.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I have actually run into this quite a lot these days whenever performing at a hospital, nursing home or any place where children or sick patrons are. They usually will say no latex products and no fire allowed.
It is best to contact a place before hand to see if there are any limitations before you arrive at your gig.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
One of the reasons I don't give candy or any other food out at parties is because a kid may be allergic. I've never had anyone tell me not to use balloons though.
As you all know I have an allergic reaction to toddlers at birthday parties, I have had lots of shows nearly spoilt by loose toddlers, should I put a sign up saying they should be left outside?
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Latex allergies -- and the ensuing bans -- are not at all that uncommon.
Many, many hospitals, for example, have done away with latex gloves, replacing them with a non-latex, vinyl glove that is just about the same but non-allergenic. cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
Jim Tighe Veteran user West Virginia 363 Posts |
Peter is correct. I am a hospital pharmacist and we have all but eliminated latex from the hospital. IV stoppers, tubing, gloves, even vial stoppers no longer contain latex. It seems the scare peaked about two to three years ago and all the manufacturers re-tooled their assembly to eliminate the latex. We have not had any serious (anaphylactic) reactions since.
Oh also, only Mylar balloons are allowed in the hospital. |
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