A question of personal safety...

Hi everyone,

This has probably been discussed before, I figure I just didn't stumble upon the right keyword(s) to search it properly...

Just yesterday, I got my first inquiry from the contact form on my website for a possible birthday party booking late next month - YAY! So, as my husband and I are discussing all details of the submission - what kind of gig, location, number of guests and all that - he brings up the point of my personal safety. He is very concerned about me accepting a job with a complete stranger and showing up at a gig alone, especially if that gig requires a good deal of travel. "What if it's all a ploy?" he says, "And you end up an hour away from home, all alone with some psycho?" Hmm, did I mention our DVR is chock-full of crime drama recordings? Criminal Minds is the top priority on our "To Be Recorded" list.

All that aside, I do feel his concerns are valid. We really do need to be cognizant of our personal safety. So my question is...how do you insure that you will be safe at a job? Do you bring someone along to all your gigs? And if you do, how do you present that extra person to the client?

Curious....
Portia

Insuring that they are legit helps. Deposit, secure payment, address, know the neighborhood. Ultimately, in this day and age, I tend to take an assistant to almost anything I do. Any sign of anything hedgy, and leave. Do have phone with GPS. Do confirm with someone on your arrival and leaving via phone, text etc- and preferably in front of someone who sees you do so, so THEY know you are not there unknown to others.

As to the extra person... This is my assistant. This is my Chaperone. This is my brush wrangler.... any of thee above works.

Brush Wrangler!!! I love that, Leaping Lizards! Great tips. Do you normally tell them ahead of time that you will be bringing an assistant or do you just show up with one?

Thanks!

My Mother freaked me out before I started this business. It took me a few months after that to get started. I kept thinking about what if

Everyone that has hired me has been a woman so far. I guess a woman could be a psycho, but it's rare in the movies

I just look at life and try to not think negative all the time. I could walk down the street, hit my head, and die. Someone could break into my house and kill me

I've taken my sister a few times. I just called her my assistant. She took the money and handed me wipes and paper towels. She's gone to college now so I do it all by myself now

This was the thread

http://www.facepaintforum.com/t7074-an-experience-at-a-party-i-painted-at

A lot of good safety information was discussed.

When I am booked it is usually either a public event or a birthday party, wedding etc. There are almost always a zillion people around- not necessarily people that I know, but that's ok. If I showed up to paint at a 6 year-olds princess party and there was nobody else there but a middle aged man I wouldn't cross the threshold. Of course I always check in when I get there and when I leave- and my husband or MIL always know how long I will be gone. I did take my guy friend along with me to one recent gig, but it was as actual private photoshoot with a male I'd never met, in his home- so yeah, I wasn't going to that alone.

I've ensured my safety by a few things, a signed contract w/ contact form as well as a $50 non-refundable retainer fee. This keeps it pretty legit. While I do often face paint in "the hood" I make sure in my contract that it's known that if I feel my safety is in jeopardy I reserve the right to leave. There has been an awful incident in our city where 11 people were shot at a birthday party(one unborn child died... mom was 8 months pregnant:( & it happened in a park I've face painted at. It has made me rethink if I(and my kids) should be working in these areas.... I also do a lot of outreach w/ my church in this area(non-face painting related).
If it's any consolation, I've been face painting since 2005 & only 1 time felt unsafe(and that was my 1st year).

I have always worked alone, have gone into some pretty bad neighborhoods, and have never had a problem in the 5-6 years I've been painting professionally. I take a deposit - check, paypal or credit card, so there's a "paper trail" if something WERE to happen. It's usually pretty obvious when you get to the home that a party is in progress. Lots of cars in the driveway, balloons on the mailbox, bounce house set up in back.

Interestingly enough, I find that those in lower-income neighborhoods are usually the nicest and most polite people you'll ever work with. They really appreciate you. You are something special that they've saved up to have at their party. They are typically people who have smaller family parties where the kids all know each other and the parents help out with line control and offer you a drink.

But unless the gig is in a private home, you are pretty safe. If you did arrive at a private home alone and find that there weren't any guests arriving and obviously no party happening, then you might have concerns.

Thanks for the link Criss, I read that the first time, and I think it is a good thing to read again.

I take my husband when I can, and he helps me carry stuff, and with the line, so it has not been questioned. He has my chair and bucket, and other junk, so he looks like he belongs there.

I have had only good expereinces for the most part, never felt unsafe. I always take my husband when I do an adult only party, alcohol makes people do things that they might not do otherwise.

Another single mom advised me once to "be sure that you are charging enough that it discourages sketchy situations & areas"... I know my agents are concerned about my welfare, and I talk to private clients to get a "feel" before I commit...chat 'em up while "finding the right spot in the planner". If you feel ill at ease, "oh, I'm sorry, I seem to be booked that day/time".

Thanks for all the input, everyone! And that link, Criss, was an awful story, but a helpful thread to read. My husband and I are still pretty new to our area so with no family around to watch our kids, I'll most likely be going to most of my gigs alone. You've shared some great points and tips! Much appreciated!

Portia

My Daughter was my apprentice for a couple of years and because I'm disabled she does most the heavy lifting. If you aren't as lucky as I am maybe there is a art student in the local high school or college that might want to apprentice you.

I've worked in Home Visiting for a social service program for more years than I care to admit... and the cardinal rule is: NEVER ignore the alarm in your belly. After that, it's basic safety like someone knowing where you are, keeping your phone on you, knowing where the exits are, etc. Most people are good people, so there's not usually much to worry about, just have the plan in mind for just-in-case.

JBax wrote:I've worked in Home Visiting for a social service program for more years than I care to admit... and the cardinal rule is: NEVER ignore the alarm in your belly. After that, it's basic safety like someone knowing where you are, keeping your phone on you, knowing where the exits are, etc. Most people are good people, so there's not usually much to worry about, just have the plan in mind for just-in-case.

Your right, people are basically decent and morally good, unfortunately it only takes one idiot to ruin it. I was in cadets as a kid and we had an expression we used, that I still go by today; "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." This way, you always have a plan