Safe Working Practices for Bubble Entertainers

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We hope this page is helpful to all bubble performers new and experienced. I was inspired to create this page after the same questions kept popping up on our Newbie Bubble Group on Facebook. The aim is to share safety information to make bubble entertainments safe and of course FUN!

This information is provided in our bubble performer training however I felt it important to make this information public. We provide newbie bubble entertainer training online and in-person.

SAFE WORKING PRACTICES FOR BUBBLE PERFORMERS

Download/print full PDF here.

GENERAL

We recommend you have public liability insurance and legal cover (UK). (Check your own countries requirements incase you need other checks, insurance or permits).
Ensure the client has a copy of your risk assessment (see ours here).
We are entertainers (not child care providers) so it’s important that you are not left in sole care of the children, enough parents/carers must be present.
Never leave liquid-filled buckets/tubs unattended, liquid should have a lid and have safety labels.
When working with electricity all appliances should have yearly electrical testing.
Do not use fire without specialist training and insurance. (We do not use or encourage fire bubbles).
Foam on hands – Use a 50/50 mix of baby bath liquid and water for safe foam play. It’s gentle on skin and safer if touched, sniffed, inhaled or tasted—perfect for SEND sessions!
Advise the grown ups that hand rinsing is required after any bubble activity.

INDOORS GENERAL

We recommend ‘Uncle Bubble’ solution or Bubbly Heavens concentrate mixes rather than PEO, j-lube, guar or other gloopy mixes for indoor bubbles. This keeps your area cleaner and less slippy as the bubbles pop crisply and is less slimy/gloopy.
Use appropriate floor covering(s) to prevent slipping and/or damage to venue floors. I use 1x XL dog whelping mats under my kid in a bubble and 3x for my indoors shows.
Use foggers sparingly indoors to avoid chest irritation (especially for guests with asthma etc). (Also you will set off fire alarms if not used sparingly). Only use vegetable glycerine or 0% nicotine liquids.

INDOORS SHOW

We are talking about party shows not stage shows.

During shows do not allow the children to run up and onto your bubble area, we suggest any kids under the age of 5 sit with a grown up. And all bouncy castles (or other distractions be paused) so you have everyone’s attention and are in control.
Limit the mess by planning your shows so that you are not making lots of big bubbles all the time. The only time I make big bubbles consecutively during my shows is in the grand finale.
Don’t use tri-strings and other outdoor bubble wands as these will drip and make much mess. My indoor and outdoor kits are 100% different.

INDOOR WORKSHOPS

There is a safe way for kids to have fun and make bubbles indoors (indoor workshop video). Keep all bubble making on top of tables and cover tables with a waterproof cover and towel. See the full workshop instructions here.
ONLY use very small wands, straws and foamers. For foamers we use Johnsons baby bath and water mix 50/50.
Do not allow children to make giant bubbles freely (like you would outdoors) indoors as they will create a slip hazard.

OUTDOOR BUBBLES GENERAL

Outdoor bubble show video.

Outdoor bubble workshop video.

Ensure the client has a copy of your risk assessment (see ours here) and we recommend pointing out the safe space recommendations especially not to be near water or roads.
DO NOT BUBBLE NEXT TO A ROAD, MOVING VEHICLES OR BODIES OF WATER. This is probably the most important point of all! Always check where you will be positioned before they book in incase the area is unsafe.
Also DO NOT BUBBLE ON SMOOTH POLISHED PAVING SLABS its too much of a risk hazard, once bubble liquid is added they become very slippery. Grass or other rough hard ground is preferred.
For the best bubbles, use fresh uncontaminated bubble solution for every public event and performance.
Dispose of unwanted bubble liquid in treated sewers or down the drain at home. Do not throw out in your garden, or on grass or other outdoor areas. This prevents harmful chemicals from entering natural water sources that could harm aquatic life or damage to grass and plants.
Use warning cones or display signs that the area may be slippery.
Be respectful and aware of how the bubbles are affecting the surrounding audience and area. Stop performing, move locations, or change wands/activities to prevent upsetting people or animals or if there is a risk of injury. For example: if in a small garden then use smaller wands (not massive nets) to prevent excessive mess and slip hazard. For example: At events move positions if the wind is blowing the bubbles over a food stall to avoid contaminating the food.

OUTDOORS MESS CONTROL

Protect the area around bubble liquid buckets, we use picnic blankets. This protects the grass from drips of bubble solution. This doesn’t only protect the grass, it also protects the insects who live in that grass.
Practice lifting your wand and holding above the bucket for the count of 5 before moving away to create the bubble. This ensures most of the excess will drip back into the bucket and not on the ground.
We suggest you double tub your bucket, placing your bucket inside a larger container. This helps with two things, 1) Will catch drips and excess and 2) If a child does tip your bucket over then the bigger tub will catch the spill.
PEO, J-lube and guar mixes are all great strong mixes for making giant bubbles outdoors however if you are finding things too slimy/messy then switch to Uncle Bubble or Bubbly Heavens Concentrate as these are less gloopy and drippy bubble solutions.