BALLOON CARE & FURTHER INFO

DO NOT TO PUT BALLOONS INTO A HOT CAR OR LEAVE BALLOONS IN A HOT PARKED CAR

It is especially important to get your balloons home or to your event as soon as possible. Balloons can pop when exposed to hot metal objects such as awnings, the outside of the car or seatbelt parts. We recommend turning on air conditioning to allow for the temperature of the car to come down before placing balloons into the car (Do not leave car unattended while running). If air conditioning is not available, you may want to open your doors and allow the car to 'air out' for a few minutes. Traveling with your windows "partially" down so there is a cross breeze can be helpful. Balloons may escape if the window/s are opened too far. NOTE: Helium expands in the heat. Warm or hot temperatures can bring balloons down faster than their proper float time and may result in popping.

Balloons and the Wind

Wind is another weather factor to look out for. Make sure your balloon is secured in your hands as they are being transported. Yanking a balloon into the car in the opposite direction of the wind can cause your balloon to pop or tear due to the force. If you are concerned ask someone for assistance in loading your balloons.

What to Look for with Ceilings

It is exceedingly rare to find an actual flat ceiling. Certain materials (such as stucco, sound board, rough ceiling, cedar, sprinkler nozzles halogen lighting, etc.) may cause balloons to pop. Regular light bulbs may or may not pop balloons. If you are not sure as to the reaction your balloons will have with a ceiling, get a sample balloon and let it go to the ceiling several times in several spots. This will help alleviate wasted time and money guessing if the effect will work.

Bagged Balloons

Bags should be used for transport only and balloons should be in the bag for no longer than an hour or so. Extended periods of time in bags can reduce the balloon float time.

Foil Balloon

It is possible to re-use most foil balloons, but we cannot guarantee that it will work every time as they are delicate, but it is worth a try. Expel the air from your balloon by inserting a long straw quite a distance into the self-sealing valve, the air will then start to come out and you can flatten and fold your balloon.

Latex Balloons

The latex balloons we use are biodegradable, it is normal that they (all colors and clear) oxidize and become cloudy over time as they degrade. Heat, sun and high humidity can accelerate this process. Latex balloons are not reusable.

Floating Time

Typically a standard 11" latex balloon will last 10-12 hours, depending on heat and humidity. Treated with "Hi Float*" these balloons can last up to 2-3 days. Exposure to warm temperatures can reduce the float time. Foil balloons generally last a week and sometimes more. Unlike latex balloons, foil balloons hate the cold. If you have a foil in air conditioning or a cold place, for an extended period, it WILL slowly deflate on you.

* Hi-Float is safe, nontoxic, water soluble and biodegradable used to extend the float time of latex balloons.

Avoid Sunlight

Heat and sunlight act like kryptonite to balloons. Storing your balloons in a cool place can do wonders for making them last much longer than they would otherwise. For foil balloons, try to maintain a consistent temperature so they will not go into shock and develop damage by the fluctuations.

Heat Sensitivity

If your balloons will be outdoors or exposed to heat for an extended period, you will want to take extra precautions to preserve your balloons. Helium molecules expand when exposed to heat, and this continual increase of heat and pressure from molecule movement may lead to noisy and disruptive balloon popping. You may be tempted to throw some water on them to cool them off, but that can cause them to stick together and pop as well. Instead, stick with light colored balloons since they will not heat up as fast as their dark counterparts would. Also, bring them indoors at the end of the day so they are not left out all night. As the temperature drops, the balloons will shrink and when they become enlarged the next morning it may lead to popping.

Pet Precautions

If you live with pets, store your display your balloons in a room or space that they cannot access. When your puppy pals and feline friends are left to their own devices, they will have a ball playing with the strings and potentially puncturing the balloon itself. Keep balloons away to help you furry friends' safety too, since they could get caught in the strings or ingest the popped balloon. Same for young children: Keep them away from balloons and strings too.

Inflating Balloons Purchased Somewhere Else

We do not make it a habit to inflate customer sourced balloons. If in the event we do there is no guarantee on any balloon purchased from those sources other than Little Miss Prop Hire & Balloon Specialist, nor is there a guarantee on those outsourced balloons that are defective or burst during or after inflation, you will still be charged the full amount for inflating that balloon. We cannot verify the quality of balloons purchased from outside suppliers and can not speculate as to how long they will float. The price for inflating balloons not purchased through us will vary depending on the size and construction of the balloons. We do not operate from a storefront so you must make an appointment so we can inspect your balloons for an accurate price quote. We reserve the right to refuse inflation of any balloons if deemed necessary by our staff.

Other Balloon Dangers - Please maintain constant awareness of your balloon creation

Please be aware that while not a conclusive list, the following additional things/events can pop your balloon and/or affect your balloon's float time: Doorways, awnings, cars, metal, sharp surfaces, pointy things, hot surfaces, letting go of the balloon (either intentionally or by mistake), the weather (rain, snow, hail, wind).

JUST DON'T

Do not breathe helium from a balloon. Helium is not toxic, nor flammable, but breathing it can result in asphyxiation (loss of consciousness due to insufficient oxygen). Do not release foil balloons outdoors. Power failures can result if these balloons become entangled in electric lines. Popped latex balloons present a choking hazard for small children. Do not leave small children unaccompanied with balloons.

NO CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 8 YEARS OLD SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE WITH LATEX BALLOONS. HELIUM REPLACES THE OXYGEN IN YOUR LUNGS AND CAN CAUSE A PERSON TO FAINT, AND IN SMALL CHILDREN, CAN CAUSE SUFFOCATION