This was a post from my facebook page a little while ago but as things get lost in the news feed I felt that it would be a good idea to re-post my thoughts here. I had read an article on a face painting forum decided to share it with my Funtastic facebook friends.
The link to the article:
Keeping Kids Healthy With a Well-Child Face Painting Policy
http://www.examiner.com/article/keeping-kids-healthy-with-a-well-child-face-painting-policy
My post:
Thought this was a good article that pulled together a lot of my thoughts. I do not use a sign but have thought that I should. As an artist, a business person, a mum....., I do reserve the right to say no to painting a child due to any of the conditions listed in the article. I can't count the number of times that I have been coughed and sneezed on ( have also been vomited on but only once so far on the job!), had children with head lice, and not to mention contagious eye/skin conditions ( and parents insisting they are just mozzie bites when the child has told me it was impetigo!! - Thank goodness I never paint over broken skin!). I do realise that sometimes it is part of the job, working with small children, but I do wonder whether it should be. Parents & caregivers, please do not be offended if I offer to paint your child's arm instead of their face or suggest that another time might be better, I am just considering my personal health, my equipment, your child and others. Please, please, please think of others when you attend a party or other event with your sick child as I am sure that you would hate to be the party host that has a face painter cancel due to illness. Also, please be comforted in knowing that I, like most professional face painters, take pride in practicing good hygiene while painting (I always use a fresh sponge for each child - sanitised between jobs, I carry lots of brushes in case I need to put some aside - also cleaned between jobs, I add antibacterial solution to my brush water and change it frequently, have wet wipes and hand sanitiser close at hand). So... after all that rambling, please know that your childs health is important to me.
I really do love my job but some days, despite all the glitter, it is not as glamorous as some might think!!
Emily x
PS. For more information about Funtastic Faces Health & Safety please look at the information found in our FAQ's on the website or contact Emily via phone/email.
The link to the article:
Keeping Kids Healthy With a Well-Child Face Painting Policy
http://www.examiner.com/article/keeping-kids-healthy-with-a-well-child-face-painting-policy
My post:
Thought this was a good article that pulled together a lot of my thoughts. I do not use a sign but have thought that I should. As an artist, a business person, a mum....., I do reserve the right to say no to painting a child due to any of the conditions listed in the article. I can't count the number of times that I have been coughed and sneezed on ( have also been vomited on but only once so far on the job!), had children with head lice, and not to mention contagious eye/skin conditions ( and parents insisting they are just mozzie bites when the child has told me it was impetigo!! - Thank goodness I never paint over broken skin!). I do realise that sometimes it is part of the job, working with small children, but I do wonder whether it should be. Parents & caregivers, please do not be offended if I offer to paint your child's arm instead of their face or suggest that another time might be better, I am just considering my personal health, my equipment, your child and others. Please, please, please think of others when you attend a party or other event with your sick child as I am sure that you would hate to be the party host that has a face painter cancel due to illness. Also, please be comforted in knowing that I, like most professional face painters, take pride in practicing good hygiene while painting (I always use a fresh sponge for each child - sanitised between jobs, I carry lots of brushes in case I need to put some aside - also cleaned between jobs, I add antibacterial solution to my brush water and change it frequently, have wet wipes and hand sanitiser close at hand). So... after all that rambling, please know that your childs health is important to me.
I really do love my job but some days, despite all the glitter, it is not as glamorous as some might think!!
Emily x
PS. For more information about Funtastic Faces Health & Safety please look at the information found in our FAQ's on the website or contact Emily via phone/email.
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