I had the privilege of performing at a local Children's Hospital yesterday for an event they had. I have a Balloon Wand, and was going to perform it. I had it ready to go, and before the event started the coordinator came up to me and told me it had to go, as the Hospital has a strict No Latex policy. The coordinator also had the hall decked out in balloons before hand and had to get rid of them all do to the policy.

So as an FYI if you do any performances in Hospitals check their policy to make sure you comply.

And if anyone knows of a non-latex based balloon that would work in these situations (Mylar would not work for these tricks like the balloon wand or a balloon to bunny box) let me know.

Some elementary schools also have this policy and notice on their front doors.

I just came back from Twist&Shout the balloon convention and several professionals said that the hospitals are starting to loosen up on balloons and saying that flowers are more dangerous. Go figure.

Alexa

Balloons go through a dipping bath process that leeches out the protein that people are allergic to. Most people are totally unaware of this and just make irrational calls on policy when it comes to latex.

Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz_A2QI9Oes


Lyndel

Really? Is that Qualatex, Bettaltex, or what? That would be a great advertising point.

Alexa

At the end of the video, it does show a qualitex bag

Alexa
We missed you and dad the other night, you missed a very good meeting.

Shoot.... Does this mean I have to wallet at home?

Sorry, Once a clown - always a clown!

Brad

ANYONE know if Qualitex has a company web site???

I went all over google and could not find one!

I would love to have a printout of the official statement on the bath process that Qualitex does that leeches out the protein that people are allergic to!

I think this would be very valuable to keep with me in my showcase!

=Frank=

Hi Frank -

Plenty of sites came up when I typed in Pioneer Balloon Company.

Also, for searching the brand of balloons, it's spelled Qualatex with a second "a". Some people accidently spell it with an "i" between the "l" and the "t".

This site for the Balloon Council, which I found off of the Qualatex site, does talk about latex alergies as being a valid concern to some:

http://www.balloonhq.com/BalloonCouncil/faq.html#risk

http://www.balloonhq.com/BalloonCouncil/facts.html#latex

- Donald

P.S. I still have a Ninja Turtles balloon book from you back in the 80's.

Wow! YOU'RE the Guy that bought the OTHER One!!!

Treasure that! Someday it will be worthless!

*haha* Just kidding!

I loved making that book!!! It was my VERY FIRST publication!

=Frank=

To Yfoog, Thank you for the "INFO". I had never heard of this before today. I,too, use balloons in my act.
Sam

I've heard of hospitals banning the use of balloons here in the UK. Does anyone know if they have a problem with latex puppets (like the Axtell ones) or is it just balloons that will be passed out to the children?

Don't tell them the puppets are made with latex. They won't think of it.

Alexa

Yup!

Don't ask, Don't tell!

=Frank=

I say if they refuse our balloons, it's all out war!

http://ingesidee.de/resourceviewer.php?pgid=63


Lyndel

About 10+ years ago, I did some magic shows at the local hospital, and animal balloons (or regular balloons) weren't allowed back then either.

I just chose different show material.

- Donald

I just did a show with balloons we just got from China. These are latex free balloons made entirely from LEAD! Of course you can imagine how the show went over....

I'm more than a little shocked at the "don't ask - don't tell" philosophy suggested in regards to the latex issue. Obviously you're not aware of the serious reactions that can occur when some who is allergic to latex comes in contact with the substance. It doesn't even need to be a handling.....latex components can become airborne and cause life threatening reactions to those with the allergy. I think performers whow work in hospitals owe it to the patients and their families as well as the hospital staff to respect and honor the limitations placed on bringing latex into their environment.

Turn the tables for a moment: If the hospitals had a "don't ask - don't tell policy" regarding infectious and contagious patients, and it was "Russian Roulette" with every hospital room door you opened, would you be concerned?

I say "Respect and comply with the hospital requirements, or show them that the materials you intend to bring in are indeed safe, or find another way to entertain the patients." If your child had a life threatening allergic reaction to latex as a result of some clown's "don't ask - don't tell" policy, how would you react???

I think that is blowing things out of proportion. I just don't see a need to mention that the puppet is made with latex, unless the hospital asks you if you use latex in your show. You, the performer, handling the puppet, is very different than giving a latex balloon to a child. However, like has also been noted, many of these hopsitals are unfamilar with what is safe and what isn't, as Qualatex balloons go through that bathing process and some are now allowing balloons IN LIEU of flowers (which have been fine for a long, long time) I don't see a reason to be OVERLY cautious, just plain catious is enough.

Alexa