Balloon Safety Guidelines

Balloons can be a fun addition to any party. Whether hiring a balloon twister or supplying your own balloons, it is important to practice safety when handling them. This can help ensure the safety and happiness of your family and guests.

Here at Silly Kitty Parties, safety and fun are our top priorities. Below are some of the procedures that we follow and suggest all party hosts consider:

Latex Allergy Awareness

Most standard balloons are made with a natural latex rubber. While this material allows for fun and amazing designs, it can cause an allergic reaction for those with latex allergies. Luckily, the percentage of Americans who are allergic to latex is relatively low and typically causes mild reactions, such as skin irritation. However, in certain cases, it can cause more severe reactions. It is good to check beforehand with your guests if anyone is allergic to latex and if they will be handling balloons at any point.

If you are worried about a potential latex allergy, you may consider substituting your latex balloons with mylar balloons. Mylar is generally considered to be a hypoallergenic alternative.

Keep Balloons Away From Eyes and Mouths

Inflated balloons are under high pressure, and this high pressure can cause problems if a balloon were to pop near sensitive areas. Because of this, never put a balloon near one’s eyes or mouth. When a balloon pops, it can launch pieces of latex rubber at high speed over a short distance. This can cause abrasions to the eyes or, if inhaled, can turn into a choking risk. Because of this risk, we will not make any balloon designs that cover the face. Also, when making hats, we make sure the hats are tight enough that they won’t slip down the face.

Note: Even if a balloon is not inflated, it can still be a risk. If a child were to put a balloon in their mouth, this could turn into a choking risk if swallowed. Because of this, we make sure to maintain a clean work area and clean up any balloon scraps that we have when making designs.

Keep Balloons Away From Children Under Three

In line with the previous safety tip, it is best to keep balloons away from children under three. Young children tend to place objects in their mouths as a way to explore their world. Unfortunately, balloons and balloon scraps are choking hazards. It is best to keep balloons out of their reach. Even when supervised, a moment of distraction can turn into disaster.

Don’t Wrap Balloons Around the Neck

It might be a fun idea to make a balloon necklace, but this can be a safety risk. A necklace can easily turn into a choking hazard if the balloon were to get caught on something. Due to the elastic nature of latex rubber, it can be difficult to snap if it were to become tight. Because of this, we will never make a balloon necklace. Similarly, when making bracelets, we make sure there is plenty of slack to prevent any potential blood flow restrictions.

Keep Balloons Away From Grass

While this is more of a tip than a safety guideline, grass can be surprisingly sharp when it comes to balloons. For a good time, it is best to keep balloons off the grass or else your guests may soon have their balloons popped.