Member of the National Association of Balloon
Artists since 1985
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Frequently Asked Questions
Float Time & Precautions1. FLOAT TIME, PRECAUTIONS, & BALLOON CARE FLOAT TIMES FOR MYLAR BALLOONS In optimum environments, mylar (foil) balloons will remain full and taught for 4-5 days. They will continue to float for two weeks or longer. Air-conditioned air may cause these balloons to shrivel, but they will return to a normal state when exposed to warmer air. FLOAT TIMES FOR LATEX BALLOONS WITHOUT HI-FLOAT® TREATMENT 12-inch latex balloons will float indoors for 18-24 hours. Float times may be reduced significantly if balloons are used outdoors or at elevations higher than sea level. HI-FLOAT™ TREATMENT makes latex balloons float up to 25 times longer! HI-FLOAT™ is a liquid plastic solution which dries inside the balloon to form a coating which holds in the helium. It is a non-toxic, water washable plastic material. Although nontoxic, keep out of reach of children. If splashed into the eyes, flush with water for several minutes. Latex balloons, used indoors and out of direct sunlight, will usually float for at least 3 days if treated with Hi-Float®, a non-toxic sealant which coats the inner wall of the balloon. Float time may be reduced significantly in unusually warm, unusually cool, or very humid environments, and at elevations significantly above sea level. EFFECTS OF ELEVATION, SUNLIGHT, AIR CONDITIONING, AND WIND Float times will be reduced at higher elevations. On hot days, in direct sunlight, balloons may pop within an hour. The same result can occur indoors if balloons are exposed to direct sunlight through windows. Very cool environments may cause helium molecules to shrink, reducing the size and float time of balloons. Indoors or outdoors, the constant flow of air around a balloon will increase the speed at which helium molecules escape through the wall of the balloon, resulting in reduced float time. A WARNING ABOUT FLOATING BALLOONS ON CEILINGS! Static and invisible fibers on ceilings can cause balloons to pop. Allow your balloons to remain tied to an anchor for at least five hours before releasing them to the ceiling. This allows the balloons to shrink enough so that the skin becomes thicker and tougher. After five hours, take 2-3 balloons and rake them across the ceiling. If these do not pop, it should be safe to release additional balloons. If they do pop, allow additional time and run the test again. 2. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS A. Do not breathe helium from a balloon. Helium is neither toxic nor flammable, but breathing it can result in asphyxiation (loss of consciousness due to insufficient oxygen). B. Do not release mylar (foil) balloons outdoors. Power failures can result if these balloons become entangled in electric lines. C. Popped latex balloons present a choking hazard for small children. Do not leave small children unaccompanied with latex balloons. Where do balloons come from ?Balloons are made of natural latex. Latex is the milky sap of the rubber tree (hevea brasilensis) which grows in tropical areas of the world, such as East India, Brazil, Malaysia, and Guatemala. Each tree lives for about 35 years and produces enough sap
for three 10 inch balloons daily. What happens to helium filled balloons when you let them go ?About 95% will rise to 28,000 feet where the air is thin and
very cold. The cold temperature causes the latex to become brittle. The thin air
causes the balloons to expand and shatter into tiny pieces. Do balloons harm animals ?A healthy animal will not normally choose to eat a latex balloon. Studies have shown that even small animals can easily pass an ingested latex balloon. What is a safe balloon release ?Released balloons should be latex and hand knotted with no
ribbon, string, fishing line or plastic hardware attached. But what can I do ?
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