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Karen:

I'm no lawyer but.....one of the problems is now that your institution has
acknowledged a potential liability exists, if, and it is an extreme
unlikelyhood, if something were to happen, you don't want to be in a
depostion and have to answer, "well, we thought it might be a problem,
but...."  take this from someone who's been there....

The first thing to do is to consult a lawyer, whether paid or pro bono.  Or
check with your liability insurance carrier. Or both.

Having said all that:  

I'd go for the balloons.  We didn't allow them in Dallas and we don't allow
them here because, heaven forbid, they might get away inside, and they might
come down in the night and set off the alarm....i understand the problem,
but I also understand the solution:  a bb gun or a long stick with tape on
it!  

I guess maybe its because I never had helium balloons for my birthday :(
that I'm such a champion of helium balloons.


Jeff Courtman
Exhibits & Special Projects Coordinator
251.208.6851
Exploreum Science Center
www.exploreum.net

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