One thing that I'm very serious about is balloon safety. As much as we all love balloons and have a great time at events with them, they are extremely dangerous for both babies and animals. As a lot of you are aware, I keep a sign posted that says I do not twist balloons for children under age 3. (Mylar balloons are a safer alternative to latex balloons.)
This is the bear minimum age for safety.
In addition, it states on the balloon package, to supervise for anyone under 8 years old.
I tell everyone that balloons should NEVER go into your mouth!
This is what can happen.. Once swallowed, a balloon can work just like a natural diaphragm – contracting and expanding with a child's breath while blocking their airway at the same time. A child essentially suffocates as they take in breaths of carbon dioxide that they just exhaled. This, combined with a balloon’s slippery rubbery texture, makes them extremely difficult to remove. A child can’t cough it out as they might with a piece of food or other solid object, because the balloons expansion blunts the force of their cough. It's very difficult to remove with a finger sweep or other method of first aid, since a wet balloon is not easily gripped when flush against a child's esophagus. It's not necessary to completely restrict balloon play, but you do need to take precautions when using them.
Make sure kids understand the danger, and do not let them chew on balloons or put them into their mouth.
If a balloon pops, be sure to pick up every piece, and keep balloons away from infants, toddlers and pets. Tell other children to tell an adult if they find balloons lying around.
More Balloon Info
Latex Allergy Like other natural things people are allergic to such as bee stings and peanuts, latex can also cause allergic reactions ranging from minor skin irritation to anaphylaxis in a very small percentage of the population. However, latex allergy doesn’t have to mean missing out on the joy of balloons, there are now a number of non-latex balloon alternatives on the market such as foil balloons and plastic bubble balloons.
Where does Latex used in Balloons come from?
Latex balloons are produced from the milky sap of the rubber tree, Hevea brasilliensis. The rubber tree originated in the tropical forests of South America and was taken to Europe from Brazil. It is now grown on plantations in many tropical countries. The latex is collected in buckets, as it drips from harmless cuts in the bark. The process is much like that used to collect maple syrup. The use of latex balloons and other products, such as surgical gloves, make rubber trees economically valuable, which discourages people from cutting them down.
Are Latex Balloons Biodegradable?
Latex is a 100-percent natural substance that breaks down both in sunlight and water. The degradation process begins almost immediately. Oxidation, the “frosting” that makes latex balloons look as if they are losing their color, is one of the first signs of the process. Exposure to sunlight quickens the process, but natural microorganisms attack natural rubber even in the dark. Research shows that under similar environmental conditions, latex balloons will biodegrade at about the same rate as a leaf from an oak tree. The actual total degradation time will vary depending on the precise conditions.