Handle Your Balloons with Care When Celebrating Valentine's Day

TRENTON, N.J., Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- More people in America buy balloons on Valentine's Day than on any other day of the year.  With America's ongoing love affair with balloons, it is not surprising that the floating gifts are among the most popular ways to say "I love you" on Valentine's Day.  

As America celebrates Valentine's Day it is a good time to remember a few tips to follow for smart balloon use.  If you are giving balloons as a gift, or receiving them, be sure to keep these simple tips in mind:

• Keep balloons secured to a weight.  All helium-filled balloons should be tied securely to a weight that will keep them from releasing into the air.  If you are giving the balloons with a stuffed animal, flowers, or other gift, be sure to individually tie each balloon to the weight, so if they become detached from the weight, they will be individual rather than "clustered" (tied together), as a cluster can more easily become entangled in power lines.
• Do not release foil balloons into the air.  Although it is very rare, they can cause problems if they are tangled in power lines and can turn into roadside litter if not disposed of properly.
• Keep deflated or popped latex balloons away from small children to avoid risks of choking.  Children can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons; adults should always supervise young children —especially those under 8 years-old—with balloons.
• Although it rarely occurs, some people are known to have a "latex allergy."  Latex balloons are made of natural rubber latex and are biodegradable, but may cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to natural rubber latex.  If you are buying balloons as a gift for someone with a latex allergy, talk to you balloon retailer about your options.

Using balloons to express sentiment is popular throughout the year, especially around Valentine's Day.  Balloons are among the most popular items at small businesses such as florists, party and card stores, grocery stores and other locations.

"When February 14 arrives each year, it's gratifying to see so many Americans using balloons to show friends and family how much they mean to them," said Dan Flynn, chairman of The Balloon Council.  "With so many balloons given around Valentine's Day, it is important that the balloon industry share these simple tips to help consumers use the product properly and help reinforce the balloon's status as a great symbol of affection."

The Balloon Council's Valentine's Day tips support the organization's Responsible Balloon Retailer program, launched as an effort to educate consumers about smart balloon use.  Retailers across the country who adhere to a code of smart balloon practices are provided with a window decal and consumer education cards so that customers can know that they are dealing with a Balloon Council-certified Responsible Balloon Retailer.

More tips and information about Smart Balloon Practices are available on The Balloon Council website at www.theballooncouncil.org/smartpractices.html.

The Balloon Council is a national association representing balloon retailers, distributors and manufacturers formed in 1990 to educate consumers and regulators about the wonders of metallic and latex balloons and the proper handling of them.  The Balloon Council is comprised of six supporting organizations and has more than 1,200 members in its "Responsible Balloon Retailers" program.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS
Noah Lichtman
(973) 799-0200 x8287
[email protected]

SOURCE The Balloon Council