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Mascot Performer Safety is important for
optimal Event Returns!!
- Always send your mascot
out with a chaperone. It is difficult to see and hear while wearing
a costume. It's also very hot. A chaperone needs to act as your mascot's
eyes, ears and voice, as well as a bodyguard. It is not uncommon for
people, not only children, to hit or kick a mascot, or pull it's tail.
There have also been cases of mascots being assaulted and the crowd
thinking it's part of the show. It is very important that your mascot
is never left alone. See also Children
& Mascots for tips on communicating with different age groups.
- Have your performer
practice wearing the mascot costume. It takes some time to get used
to moving around in the costume. Determine where the blind spots are.
Practice running, jumping, dancing, anything you might do during a performance.
Know your limitations. A comfortable and confident performer will make
the best mascot. Be safe. We've heard dozens of mascot stories of stunts
gone wrong! Many of which have hurt the performer and destroyed the
costume. Think twice before doing anything crazy.
- Not everyone can be
a mascot. If you are prone to claustophobia, fainting or heat exhaustion
-- you should not be a mascot. If you begin to feel panicked, sick,
dizzy or light-headed, have your chaperone take you away and get out
of the costume asap! (See next point for hand signals for distress)
- Determine hand Signals
with your chaperone in advance. As mascots shouldn't speak, you will
need to create a sign language to communicate things such as... "This
kid keeps pulling my tail" "I need water" and "Get
me OUT of Here--NOW".
Prearrange Breaks. Know how long you can perform without getting overheated.
Have plenty of water on hand. Stay away from soft drinks and liquor,
they will both dehydrate you more and a mascot that smells of liquor
is not a very good image.
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