Balloons

All of our latex balloons are friendly to the environment and are 100% biodegradable. This does not mean though
that you should release them into the air. After your party or event is over, they should be disposed of in a proper
trash receptacle. IMPORTANT NOTE: 11in Latex Balloon float less than 10 hours. If you
purchased an arch kit, do not inflate with helium the night before. Inflate less than 2-3 hours before the event is recommended.

Latex balloons are the standard elastic type rubber balloons. Latex balloons are usually inflated with a gas known as helium.
Latex is a porous material which when inflated can only hold the helium gas for about 10 to 18 hours, this time varies and is dependent
on local conditions. Mylar balloons are made of a non-porous material and can hold the helium for up to two weeks. Latex balloons are
made from a milky soap found in the Hevae Brasiliensis tree, this is a 100 percent natural substance
that will break down both in sunlight and water. The degradation process begins almost immediately once they are removed from their factory sealed package. The balloons
will exhibit oxidation, a frosting effect that happens to latex balloons after a while; it is one of the first signs of this process. Exposure to sunlight quickens this
degradation process, but even at night tiny microorganisms attack natural latex once they have been removed from their sealed packages. Under similar environmental
conditions, latex balloons will biodegrade at about the same rate as a leaf from an oak tree. The actual degradation time will vary depending on the precise conditions,
but it can be as short as several weeks.

Not unlike any other latex or plastic bags, broken or uninflated latex balloons can cause harm to very young children and should be disposed of immediately. Children
under the age of 7 should be under constant adult supervision while playing with latex balloons.

We strongly recommend you not order latex balloons for delivery to hospitals; many hospitals and institutions do not allow such deliveries, choose instead a non-alergenic
alternative like mylar (foil) balloons to compliment your special message mylar balloon. We have many different solid color and special shape mylars to choose from.

Foil balloons, also referred to as metallic or mylar and are actually two sheets of plastic (polyethylene) and nylon that are sandwiched together, then coated with a thin
layer of aluminum. Mylar balloons first appeared in New York City in the late 70's and quickly became popular worldwide. A mylar balloon can float 30 times longer than a
standard latex balloon, but the float time depends on just how well the two sheets of plastic were sealed at the factory and the altitude. Most foil (mylar) balloons will
not float at altitudes over 6500 feet. Foil (metallic) balloons are not biodegradable and they can (and will) conduct electricity, they should never be released outdoors
because they could become entangled with power lines and lead to power outages. Helium is nonflammable and non-explosive, but do not inhale helium. Helium displaces oxygen
necessary for life and can cause headaches, dizziness, labored breathing, and
eventual unconsciousness.Helium is actually an environmentally friendly gas, it is non-flammable, non-toxic and non-radioactive. It is the second most abundant element in the
Universe. However, on Earth, Helium is very rare. In the USA it is mined, or more precisely, drilled for in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles from natural gas wells that also
happen to be encased in radioactive rock. The rocks decay over millions and millions of years and, in the course of that decay, they release a non-radioactive by-product know
as Helium one molecule at a time! The Helium gas accumulates in the same pocket that produces the natural gas. Both are recovered together and then later separated.
Balloons are not intended for children under the age of 3. Balloons that have not been inflated can cause suffocation if swallowed. Never attach balloons to a crib or a
child's bed. Balloons with ribbons can cause strangulation of children under 3 years old. Children should never inflate helium balloons without adult supervision.

Little Known Facts About Balloons

· Malaysia produces the most latex of any country in the world.
· Qualatex latex balloons are made from 100% natural latex - not plastic.
Our latex balloons decompose as fast as an oak leaf in your backyard!
· Latex balloons come from rubber trees.
· Latex is collected by cutting the tree's bark, then catching the latex in a cup.
· Latex harvesting doesn't hurt the tree!
· Latex balloons are Earth-friendly!
· Rubber trees grow in rain forests.
· Latex harvesting discourages deforestation because latex-producing trees are left intact.
· A tree can produce latex for up to 40 years!
· Pioneer uses water-based printing inks. And, they use the Alar system to process printing ink waste into non-hazardous materials.
· Balloons were invented in 1824, the same year as the electromagnet.
· Pioneer manufactures nearly one billion Qualatex latex balloons per year.
· Helium-filled balloons float because helium is lighter than nitrogen and oxygen, the two components of air.

*Warning: Balloons are not toys and are not recommended for children under
the age of 4 without adult supervision. Latex balloons and the disc ties used to seal
them are choking hazards for children. Keep all mylar balloons and mylar ribbons away
from power lines. Celebrate The Day is not responsible for any harm caused by the balloons that are delivered.