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momma28
Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 16, 2008
Posts: 387
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 Posted:
Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:02 pm |
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The winner of a free cake gift certificate I gave out at a recent bridal show is supposed to be getting a cake from me tomorrow, delivered to her bachlorette party. It is a simple undecorated 8 inch round. She is very excited to get it (which I take as a compliment).
My kids have swine flu. I have a state approved and liscensed home based bakery. I call this woman to tell her that her cake will be baked in the same home where my kids have swine flu. I told her that I always bake in a sanitary environment but that swine flu is airborne and I cannot guarantee that it wont have any exposure. Her wedding is next weekend so of course I am concerned that she could get swine flu for her wedding, but then again you are exposed everytime you go to a walmart with how widespread it is here. She said she still wants the cake. Said that a man at her job had it and she didnt get it after being exposed to him. I said are you sure, she said yes, go ahead and make it (I was going to bake it this evening since it is undecorated and doesnt need to be delivered until tomorrow afternoon)
What happens if this entire bridal party (im sure they will be at the bachlorette party) gets swine flu and her wedding next week is ruined? Am I leaving myself open to liability? Do I have her sign something? She was rather insistant that she wants this cake. For me (If I were the bride) its a big risk for an 8 inch undecorated cake. Is the customer always right? I dont want to tick her off but I dont want her to get sick either. FYI I am not sick just my kids. |
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awestervelt
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 02, 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Spring Hill, Kansas
Birthday: Aug 17
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:15 pm |
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I would have her sign something that stated the risk were discussed with her. That way if for some reason she did get sick( which probably wouldn't be from your cake) she would have nothing to stand on if she tried anything. |
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Kitagrl
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 16, 2005
Posts: 4067
Location: NE Philly suburbs
Birthday: Jan 31
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:16 pm |
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Wear a mask...don't let the kids in the kitchen...and make the cake. In my mind it is impossible that the whole bridal party get the flu from one 8" round cake made in a clean environment.
Although the only downfall is that now that she knows your kids are sick, any illness will be traced back to you! Whereas otherwise you would have been in the clear...stuff is going around anyway, there's a good chance they'd get sick even without your cake...but now I will say they may think it IS your cake if they do get sick.
However I personally don't think they'd get sick from your cake.
If it were me, next time, I'd either make the cake without saying anything about the kids being sick (I've done that before) or just say "I can't make the cake."
Good luck! |
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tarheelgirl
Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 427
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:18 pm |
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My son just got over the swine flu and luckily I did not have any cake orders that week. I was prepared to start calling customers though if I had to. If she is insisting I would probably make her sign something. If it were me I would sanitize the kitchen completely and bake/decorate while the kids were in bed. Good luck with this! |
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dkelly
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 16, 2008
Posts: 3675
Location: Red Sox Nation
Birthday: Nov 16
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:20 pm |
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Yeah, I wouldn't have given her the choice.....I'd simply call the client and say "sorry, my kitchen is closed this week while my family recovers from the flu".
Then you're covered.
I personally wouldn't bake until the kiddos are well, but that's just me.
I hope your kids feel better real soon. |
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momma28
Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 16, 2008
Posts: 387
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:21 pm |
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| Kitagrl wrote: | Wear a mask...don't let the kids in the kitchen...and make the cake. In my mind it is impossible that the whole bridal party get the flu from one 8" round cake made in a clean environment.
Although the only downfall is that now that she knows your kids are sick, any illness will be traced back to you! Whereas otherwise you would have been in the clear...stuff is going around anyway, there's a good chance they'd get sick even without your cake...but now I will say they may think it IS your cake if they do get sick.
However I personally don't think they'd get sick from your cake.
If it were me, next time, I'd either make the cake without saying anything about the kids being sick (I've done that before) or just say "I can't make the cake."
Good luck! |
I went back and forth about telling her but I just didnt feel right. I really figured she would say that she didnt want it. I am really feeling uncomfortable about making the cake now. |
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bbmom
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 04, 2009
Posts: 466
Location: small town
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:25 pm |
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Off topic, how do you know its swine flu? None of the doctors where I am are testing for h1n1 or seasonal flu. Its very widespread here and they arent even seeing the kids, just saying keep the kids home. |
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my_4_dumplins
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 16, 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Middlesboro Ky
Birthday: Feb 21
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:27 pm |
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Call your local healt dept. tomorrow morning. Explain you situation to them and see what they say. If they suggest you don't do it, call the bride tell her that the healt dept. says you can't do it. If the health dept. says everything should be okay, bake the cake but, like a previous poster said, have her sign something saying she knew the risks involved, that way if any of her guests become ill, it is on her and not you. |
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Kitagrl
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 16, 2005
Posts: 4067
Location: NE Philly suburbs
Birthday: Jan 31
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:29 pm |
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| momma28 wrote: | | Kitagrl wrote: | Wear a mask...don't let the kids in the kitchen...and make the cake. In my mind it is impossible that the whole bridal party get the flu from one 8" round cake made in a clean environment.
Although the only downfall is that now that she knows your kids are sick, any illness will be traced back to you! Whereas otherwise you would have been in the clear...stuff is going around anyway, there's a good chance they'd get sick even without your cake...but now I will say they may think it IS your cake if they do get sick.
However I personally don't think they'd get sick from your cake.
If it were me, next time, I'd either make the cake without saying anything about the kids being sick (I've done that before) or just say "I can't make the cake."
Good luck! |
I went back and forth about telling her but I just didnt feel right. I really figured she would say that she didnt want it. I am really feeling uncomfortable about making the cake now. |
That's why I'd either tell her and cancel the order, or not tell her and make the order....because now you're kinda stuck...you said you'd make the cake, but if she DOES get sick (no matter HOW she gets sick) she will regret her decision and get mad at you. |
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justcake
Newbie
Joined: Oct 31, 2008
Posts: 3
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:29 pm |
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You have to go with your gut. If you are uncomfortable making the cake, then don't. Then if they do get sick they have no way to blame your 8 in cake. Things happen and she surely can not fault you for trying to error on the side of caution. I would simply say, as another caker did, my kitchen is closed unitl my family is well again. |
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my_4_dumplins
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 16, 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Middlesboro Ky
Birthday: Feb 21
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:32 pm |
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| bbmom wrote: | | Off topic, how do you know its swine flu? None of the doctors where I am are testing for h1n1 or seasonal flu. Its very widespread here and they arent even seeing the kids, just saying keep the kids home. |
I live in southeast Ky and they are still testing here (not that it matters, the test are so inaccurate!) and they are saying keep your kids home EXCEPT to take them to the doctor. All four of my kids became sick at the same time, friday night. I took them to the dr. on Monday and they swabbed them for the test, two of them tested pos., two tested neg. so they gave all of them Tamiflu. They are all over it and doing well  |
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momma28
Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 16, 2008
Posts: 387
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:35 pm |
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I called her back and said that I would prefer to ere on the side of caution and not prepare a cake when there is flu in my home. She was very understanding (much to my relief) and said that she would email me with the holidays coming up to let me know when she would like her free cake.
I really feel a lot better about not doing the cake. I had no other paid cakes this week (which is unusual so I am guessing God knew something I didnt LOL and I am grateful for that.
bbmom: they are testing in my area. I did not take my kids in but the doc said there is NO reg flu in our area at this time. There are a couple of telltale symptoms to swine flu, the main one being a headache that lasts 2 + days that will not respond to any medication which those in my home had, and vomiting and or bad bowels which is not generally seen in regular flu (more common in the younger children). Also for all the hype swine flu doesnt last as long as reg seasonal flu. 2- 3 days (of course the cough can linger) unless complications set in.
My oldest is already over it but I have other children in various stages. Seems to be a 3 day event in our family. |
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momma28
Frequent Member
Joined: Sep 16, 2008
Posts: 387
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:39 pm |
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| my_4_dumplins wrote: | | bbmom wrote: | | Off topic, how do you know its swine flu? None of the doctors where I am are testing for h1n1 or seasonal flu. Its very widespread here and they arent even seeing the kids, just saying keep the kids home. |
I live in southeast Ky and they are still testing here (not that it matters, the test are so inaccurate!) and they are saying keep your kids home EXCEPT to take them to the doctor. All four of my kids became sick at the same time, friday night. I took them to the dr. on Monday and they swabbed them for the test, two of them tested pos., two tested neg. so they gave all of them Tamiflu. They are all over it and doing well |
They are not giving tamiflu here unless you have asthma or are immune compromised. I was guessing it was so there is not a shortage for the most at risk of complications |
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Barb1959
Regular Member
Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Posts: 140
Location: Lanoka Harbor, NJ
Birthday: Jan 06
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:43 pm |
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Told my husband and daughter (daughter going to school next year for baking and pastry at Johnson and Wales) suggeste you a friend's kitchen. |
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Barb1959
Regular Member
Joined: Aug 29, 2009
Posts: 140
Location: Lanoka Harbor, NJ
Birthday: Jan 06
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Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:46 pm |
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Husband and daughter just made a very good point. You can have her sign off for herself, but she cannot speak for her guests They could have recourse against you if they got sick and found out that you knew there was a chance they could get sick. |
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