This is Serious
Monkey Business
I use bold imagery—yes, skulls on stakes—to make a simple point impossible to miss:
Safety First. Always game responsibly.
That is the spirit of my public awareness message, Serious Monkey Business (SMB). Before I share my One VISION dream for safer, more inclusive play, I need to start with the tragedy that shaped it.
Why This Matters to Me
A close friend of mine, George, lost his infant daughter to choking on a six‑sided die. Hearing him tell the story still brings me to tears. I dedicate this campaign to her memory. The lesson I carry forward is painfully clear: small game pieces and curious hands can intersect in seconds, and the consequences can be irreversible.
My Plea to all Caregivers
I’m speaking to parents, grandparents, babysitters, teachers, and anyone who might be responsible for a child’s safety—which, in truth, includes all of us. In a moment of panic, you may discover your fingers are too big to retrieve an object from a baby’s mouth. That’s why I urge you: get CPR certified, and specifically learn infant CPR. It is not the same procedure as adult CPR. Ask your local firefighter, school nurse, or workplace safety professional for class referrals and get trained. Preparedness saves lives.
The Choking Hazard You Might Not Expect
Many game pieces are risky to toddlers and infants, but the glass stones—often called “dragon tears”—worry me most. They’re beautiful and elegant to play with on the table but they look like candy to young eyes. It’s not a question of if a child will reach for them—only how fast. And hazards don’t stop with kids: I’ve seen pets knock pieces to the floor and bite them. A dog with broken glass in its mouth is a preventable emergency you’ll never forget.
How to Treat My Game Spaces
When you step into my demo area or play space, treat it like a potential danger zone for little ones. I design my games for adults, yet kids are often my biggest fans—and sometimes they’re simply too young to partake safely. I will, when needed, run a child through an SMB “obstacle course” (a quick, age‑appropriate safety check) before allowing them to play at a booth. If it isn’t safe, we don’t play. Period.
Practical Moves I Recommend at Home
Choose safer components: Favor large, non‑glass, non‑fragile pieces that don’t resemble candy.
Better yet, let the children scavenger hunt for their game pieces, so long as they are uniformed.
Control access: Store small parts in latched containers and keep them out of reach when not in use.
Supervise actively: If children or pets are around, no unattended setups—clean the table promptly after play.
Set your rules: Make a family safety plan for game nights; designate an adult as the parts monitor. Inventory control is an important job.
Educate and prepare: Keep emergency numbers visible and refresh CPR skills regularly.
My Invitation
If you have youngsters and share my concern, let’s talk. I’m happy to help you select game‑piece sizes and materials that won’t be an issue in your home. Safety is not about removing joy from gaming—it’s about protecting it so we can all play longer, better, and together.
Serious Monkey Business exists because one life lost is one too many. Please remember: Safety always comes first.