Safety tips and how to extend the life of your balloons
Helium balloons are a popular choice for decorating parties and events of all kinds. They bring joy, fun and colour to any event, whether it’s birthdays, weddings, corporate events or other social occasions. Although helium balloons are beautiful and eye-catching, it is important to take care of their proper handling and maintenance to avoid accidents and ensure the longest possible life. In this article, we’ll look at some safety tips and advice on how to extend the life of your helium balloons.
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2. Selection of quality balloons
Helium is a non-flammable and non-toxic gas, but its handling still requires certain safety precautions. Keep the following in mind when working with helium:
- Never try to inhale helium directly from a bottle or balloon, it can cause dizziness, fainting or even death.
- When inflating helium balloons, use a suitable pressure-reducing valve and a mouthpiece designed for helium balloons.
- Make sure the helium bottle is firmly anchored and stable to prevent it from falling or tipping over.
- When working with helium, follow all manufacturer’s and gas supplier’s instructions.
PRO TIP: It is important to point out that helium balloons filled with small disposable helium bombs may be of poorer quality than those filled from larger, reusable helium bottles from professional helium suppliers. This is because disposable helium cylinders often contain a lower concentration of helium than their reusable counterparts. Helium from disposable bottles can also be less pure, which can lead to lower balloon endurance and less buoyancy.
2. Selection of quality balloons
The quality of the balloons has a major impact on their durability. Quality balloons last longer when inflated and are more resistant to bursting. When choosing balloons, look for the following characteristics:
- The size of the balloons is an important factor when filling with helium as it affects the lift time and overall performance of the balloons. Starting sizes for helium balloons: latex balloons – 23 cm (9 inches), foil balloons – 45 cm (18 inches).
- Balloons made of high quality latex or foil are generally more durable and hold helium better.
- Balloons with a higher latex weight are stronger and less prone to bursting or puncturing.
- When selecting foil balloons, make sure they are made of high quality foil and have tight and tight closure valves.
- We recommend choosing from well-known balloon brands such as Gemar, Everts, Qualatex, Grabo, Sempretex and Anagram.
3. Proper inflation and closure of helium balloons
Proper inflation and closure of helium balloons is key to their longevity. Follow these tips for optimal results:
- Inflate balloons slowly and carefully to avoid bursting or damage.
- Do not inflate balloons beyond the recommended size, which could cause them to burst or shorten their life.
- Close the balloons with knots to ensure a tight seal and prevent helium leakage.
PRO TIP: If you are using a smaller helium bottle or don’t want to lose any helium on defective latex balloons, you can try inflating the latex balloons with air first. This way you can tell if the balloon is defective and you won’t waste helium. Another advantage of this procedure, besides saving helium, is the stretching of the balloon, which reduces the likelihood of the balloon bursting after inflation with helium. Works only with latex balloons.
4. Using Hi-Float to extend the life of helium balloons
Hi-Float is a special gel product that is injected into latex balloons prior to inflation with helium. It is a non-toxic, water-soluble gel that forms a thin layer inside the balloon that slows the leakage of helium through the balloon walls. By using Hi-Float you can extend the life of helium balloons up to several times. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using Hi-Float. If you choose balloons from our online shop, you can be sure that they are properly treated with Hi-Float and will remain inflated for at least 2 days.
PRO TIP: When using Hi-Float, it is important to remember that like any other water soluble gel/adhesive, it takes an hour or two to dry properly depending on the ambient humidity and temperature. Once this happens, it closes the pores in the latex wall of the balloon and prevents the helium from escaping. Therefore, always allow the inflated Hi-Float balloons to dry for a few hours.
5. Proper placement and care of helium balloons
The placement and care of helium balloons can also affect their lifespan. Consider the following recommendations:
- Keep helium balloons out of direct sunlight, high temperatures and rapid temperature changes that can cause balloons to burst or shorten their life.
- Protect helium balloons from sharp objects and edges that could cause them to burst or puncture.
- Keep helium balloons away from sources of electricity, such as sockets or power cabinets, which could cause short circuits or sparks.
- For outdoor events, keep helium balloons firmly anchored and consider using balloon nets or weights to prevent balloons from escaping into the air.
6. Storage of helium balloons before and after the event
Proper storage of helium balloons before and after the event can also help extend their life:
- Before the event, store the balloons in a cool, dark and dry environment that is protected from sunlight, temperature changes and humidity.
- After the event, if they still have sufficient buoyancy, you can store the balloons for later use.
- If the balloons lose buoyancy, you can try refilling with helium or air. In the case of foil balloons with closable valves, this is easy. It may be more difficult with latex balloons, but if Hi-Float has been used and the balloons are still in good condition, you can give it a try.
7. Safe disposal of helium balloons
At the end of the life of the helium balloons, it is important to dispose of them properly and safely:
- Balloons must be completely deflated before they can be disposed of. For latex balloons, just puncture or cut and let the helium escape. For mylar balloons with lockable valves, the helium can be released using a straw or other thin object inserted into the valve.
- Once the balloons are completely deflated, they must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations. Latex balloons are usually biodegradable, but the decomposition process can take several months to several years. Mylar balloons are made of plastic film and should be disposed of as plastic waste.
8. Conclusion
Helium balloons are a great accessory for various celebrations and events, but proper handling, maintenance and disposal are key to their longevity and safety. By following the above tips and advice, you can extend the life of your helium balloons, increase their safety and enjoy the joy they bring to your party or event.
To save you the hassle of helium bottles, using Hi-Float and choosing quality balloons, we recommend visiting our online store. Here we offer a wide range of both latex and mylar balloons that are pre-inflated and treated with Hi-Float. As an added bonus, we can deliver the balloons right before your event, saving you the time and hassle of inflating the balloons on time. Our commitment is to always prepare balloons 1-3 hours before delivery to provide customers with freshly prepared, quality balloons for their parties and events. We also offer the option of personal balloon pick-up in Prague 6, which is another alternative for those who would like to pick up their balloons in person and save on delivery.
Visit our online shop and discover a wide range of helium balloons ready to use for your party or event. We guarantee that your helium balloons will be filled with high quality helium from professional sources, ensuring longer life and better performance than balloons filled from small disposable helium bombs. Last but not least, all our latex balloons are Hi-Float treated and we can guarantee a minimum of 2 days of flight, even for the smallest balloons with a diameter of 30 cm. In this way, we strive to ensure maximum satisfaction of our customers and contribute to the success of their celebrations and events. We appreciate the trust you place in us and are committed to providing quality products and services that satisfy even the most demanding requirements.
Kritski, NejBalonky
