At My Dream Party Shop we really care about the safe use of our products and want to provide customers with lots of tips on how to transport, store and use their balloons safely to avoid any unnecessary accidents and help you prolong your balloon life and enjoyment.
Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your balloons and keeping everyone safe.
Most people are not aware that inhaling helium is extremely dangerous and can cause death. It can deprive your body of oxygen and can cause you to fall unconscious, into a coma, cause brain damage or even die. Do not allow children to inhale helium especially as they will be even more susceptible to the effects of helium. You can read more about the risks of inhaling helium on the Healthline site.
Balloons are not a toy. Un-inflated or burst balloons and their contents (if applicable i.e. confetti) can present a choking hazard and should never be left with young children, babies or pets without supervision. Pets and children can also get caught in balloon ribbons which could wrap around their necks, so it is essential to ensure that they are out of their reach. If a balloon pops, clear away any broken balloons and it's decorative contents immediately.
Our latex balloons are made of natural rubber latex, but occasionally for some people they may cause allergies. People who are regularly exposed to latex (i.e. rubber gloves) are more likely to develop latex allergies. 50% of people who have latex allergies also have a history of other allergies. Please look out for symptoms in case of allergies and seek immediate help. Symptoms of a latex allergy range from mild skin irritation to severe, life-threatening respiratory distress. These symptoms typically appear within minutes of exposure, though some skin reactions can be delayed by hours or even days
If you are collecting your balloons please ensure that you have prepared your van or car to avoid any damage during transit. Here are our top tips;
Please don't leave balloons in a hot car as helium expands in the heat and this could cause your balloons to pop! We recommend that you use air conditioning in your vehicle when transporting balloons on a hot day. If your balloons get rained on and start to droop, don't worry as they'll float again when dry. When helium-filled balloons are taken into the cold, they will temporarily deflate and will re-inflate again when warm. We recommend transporting them in a warm but not overly hot car and to keep balloons away from the footwell where they may be next to a heater.
Please ensure that your balloons are stored in a suitable environment. In the summer keep balloons away from direct sunlight which may cause your balloons to get too hot and explode. Do not leave them in hot environments like conservatories, garages or cars. In winter do not leave your balloons near radiators or leave them overnight in cars or garages which may get very cold. If your balloons are provided in a bag please remove them as soon as possible to prevent the balloons from suffocating.
Lights, paint textures, irregular surfaces can all pop balloons. If you are planning on placing your balloons on a ceiling, ensure that you test it first. Ceiling balloons should be released slowly and carefully to prevent popping. Do not use on airtex ceilings or they will pop.
While we use the highest quality balloons (only CE kitemarked) and take every precaution necessary with your balloons to ensure they last through your event, once the balloons leave our door or we have left the venue, they are out of our control. We take steps to ensure that the balloons are without faults before they leave our premises. Please handle them with care as if they are glass object as they are fragile and can pop.
Please bear in mind that clear latex balloons will become cloudy quickly when exposed to heat and sunshine. Coloured latex balloons will take on a velvety, matte appearance and chrome balloons will lose some of their shine and may become a little patchy before eventually going matte. This is a natural process called oxidisation which normally happens over the course of a week but happens more quickly during high temperatures and unfortunately we cannot prevent this. There are some ways to reduce this happening including keep balloons out of the sun and keeping them in a dark cool room with air-conditioning or a fan if available for as long as possible on the day.
Please do not release helium balloons into the environment as they can harm wildlife and farm animals. They can also litter the countryside and coast. Enjoy your balloon and, when it is deflated, dispose of it responsibly. As members of BAPIA we do not support balloon releases and will not supply balloons to anyone who says that they are intending on releasing balloons. There are lots of alternatives which do not impact the environment. You can read more about our Suggested Alternative Options to Balloon Releases here.
Need more help? Drop us an email with your question. If it is regarding an installation at a venue or at your house please include the date, set up time, start and end time, venue location and any theme or colour scheme that you have in mind.