The business had stopped using latex balloons in their open gym area in place of latex balloons. We had expressed excitement of this fact due to our daughters severe latex allergy and how the balloons being gone made it safer for our daughter to play there. A staff member stated she had heard the same thing from other patrons and stated an intention to not start using the latex balloons again. We started frequenting their open gym more often because she could play there safely. In fact my daughter has been to 3 other birthday parties here this school year and there were no latex balloons. In fact at the last party, the owner even recalled my daughters name from memory. Due to how much my children love this establishment and how it was a safe environment, we planned a large joint birthday party for our daughter with her good friend. I was shocked to find my son playing with a few latex balloons about 30 minutes into the party. I then found other latex balloons scattered around the play area. I quickly picked them all up and asked a staff member to make them all disappear due to the severity of my daughters allergy. The staff member said she would but they remained where I put them for the rest of the party. I then noticed my daughter had two hives on her neck. I took her out if the gym area and immediately gave her Benadryl and got out her epi pens just in case. My daughter ended up with over 15 hives all over her body, was extremely emotional and didn't enjoy any part of the remainder of her birthday party (which she had been looking forward to for months). As the party was ending the owner of the establishment showed up. I told him what had happened and asked him why the balloons were suddenly back. The owner showed no concern at all for my daughters well being and claimed there was never a plan to stop using latex at the gym (though we had been to the gym for parties and open gym/free play since September 2016 and there have never been balloons present. He did not care that my daughter was having a severe allergic reaction and this special party was ruined for my daughter. When I expressed that he should stop using latex balloons, he made it clear that he had no intention to do so. Realize the balloons are one minor part of a large children's gym. When not using the latex balloons, they used beach balls which worked great. There is absolutely no need to have latex balloons present. The only thing I can think of is that the owner has switched back to balloons to save a few cents. I explained to the owner that we could not be customers at his establishment if he continued to use latex balloons and he had an "oh well" response. Since coming home we've had to continue to give our daughter medication to treat her allergic reaction as well as deal with a very emotional and quite sad 6 year old whose party she had been looking forward to for months was ruined. She felt so horrible she was unable to even eat her cake.
For a place that is supposed to provide a safe environment for your children to explore, try new things and get out energy (by using the zip line, jumping in the foam block pit, climbing the inflatable wall, swinging on the large rope, etc), the owners clear lack of concern for my daughters health and well being makes me wonder how safe the other attractions are for all children. Safety does not seem to be anywhere near the owner and staffs main priority.
If your child has allergies I would recommend staying away from BusyBodies. The owner clearly does not get the seriousness of allergies. read more