Balloon Safe Practices & The Environment
Balloon care
If your balloons get wet in the rain and they start to drop, they will perk up again when they’re dry.
Please don’t leave balloons in a hot car. Heat causes helium to expand and your balloons could pop.
When hellium balloons get cold, they will temporarily deflate. Once they are warm they will re-inflate.
If you are placing balloons on a ceiling, please be aware that light fittings, irregular surfaces and even static could pop your balloons. Please ensure you test the area first with a balloon.
Clear balloons can become cloudy very quickly if exposed to heat and sunshine as the latex oxidises. Coloured balloons will take on a velvety matt appearance.
IMPORTANT BALLOON INFORMATION
PLEASE READ FULLY AND BE AWARE
Balloons bring joy and excitement – however, caution must be taken especially where young children and pets are involved. Children under 8 years old and pets can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. In the case of there being any broken parts of balloons, collect and discard all pieces immediately.
Most balloons are made of natural rubber latex and can cause allergies. Please be aware and if there are any incidents, please seek immediate medical assistance.
THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF INHALING HELIUM
Although inhaling helium may sound like fun it is a serious matter and could be potentially dangerous. In fact, it can kill, not because of the helium, but due to the lack of oxygen in the body when helium is inhaled. The lack of oxygen that comes from inhaling helium can cause immediate fainting, asphyxiation and even death.
MEDICAL HELIUM IS NOT USED TO INFLATE BALLOONS
Supagas, a leading supplier of helium explains that the helium used to inflate balloons is not pure enough for medical or scientific use. It is a by-product gathered during the production of medical-grade helium. The majority of liquid helium boils off in the transfer process.
BALLOONS & THE ENVIRONMENT
PLEASE DO NOT LET GO!
What goes up must come down. As much as we love balloons, we believe in taking care of our planet, we understand that our survival is tied to the Earth’s well-being.
Therefore we do not knowingly supply balloons for balloon releases. When Balloons are released into the air they will fall into our environment and may become ‘litter’.
Although latex balloons will eventually decompose, until that time they may litter our beaches & countryside – not only visually offensive they could cause potential harm to wildlife & marine life.
WE URGE OUR CUSTOMERS TO DISCUSS OTHER OPTIONS WITH US
SAFE PRACTICE – PIN IT & BIN IT
NB Best Practice – cut latex balloons into small pieces & and dispose of them with food or garden waste.
Mylar – better known in the UK as Foil balloons can be disposed of along with re-cycled plastics * or repurposed see below
A great deal of our work consists of using air-filled, natural latex balloons.
If helium is used, we always comply with industry standards by keeping balloons attached securely to weights
Displays & and installations can be fixed to indoor structures or framework after the event we remove & dispose of the balloons safely or on some occasions advise venue staff on “Pin it and Bin it” methods to ensure controlled disposal after the event
By choosing to use Balloon Professionals who use latex balloons as their medium of expression, you are making an environmentally and economically responsible choice.
LATEX BALLOONS ARE NOT PLASTIC
Many people mistakenly believe that latex balloons are made from a type of plastic, however they are actually made from latex rubber – a 100% natural material harvested from rubber trees (also known as Hevea brasiliensis). The sap from these trees is harvested and turned into the bouncy rubber material used for balloons. The entire process is gentle and sustainable, with no risk of deforestation.
A single rubber tree can be tapped for latex for up to 30 years.
Balloons made from natural latex will biodegrade over time, but the duration depends on various factors such as the environment and any additional products added to the balloons in manufacturing. Organic pigments are added to the latex to make hundreds of colours.
When possible we only purchase balloon stock from leading manufacturers who source their latex from sustainable Rainforest Alliance Certified & Forest Stewardship Council Plantations.
This contributes to building healthy forests, and thriving communities and helps fight climate change.
MYLAR ( known in the UK as foil ) BALLOONS
Mylar balloons are made with a plastic/nylon, synthetic material that is recyclable but it does not biodegrade.
We re-purpose them by creating our own environmentally friendly balloon weights, filling latex balloons with sand and covering them with discarded foil balloons any parts not used are disposed of along with our recyclable plastics