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Latex Balloon Allergy Tips and Help
Here are some balloon tips and ideas on latex balloon substitutes:
Instead of using the plain rubber balloons for decorations, use the mylar (foil type) or plastic balloons for table centerpiece, stage and room decorations. Mylar and plastic balloons are made without latex, last weeks longer than regular rubber balloons and can be reused until the self-sealing valve fails.
To deflate a mylar or plastic balloon for recycling, remove any ribbons from the balloon; insert a common drinking straw into the valve until the air starts to come out. Gently squeeze the balloon and let the air out till flat, remove the straw, fold the flat balloon and store till next use. The mylar, plastic, polyurethane and vinyl balloons can be reused until the valve fails.
For water balloon parties, use the zip lock brand small sandwich snack bags filled in a bucket and sealed underwater, also the cheap small baggies (with no zip seal or fold lock top) can be filled with a fistful of water into the corner of the balloon, twist and then tie off like a regular balloon. Cut off the excess plastic.
The 4" sized mylars in round, heart and star shape work well as water balloons, fill with a turkey baster and water, hand tie off like a regular balloon.
The latex balloons are made of rubber; they will stretch from small to large size when they are blown up. The latex balloon substitutes (latex balloon alternative) will not stretch and are simply flat or filled.
The mylar and plastic balloons will float with sizes 18" and greater and take 0.5 cu ft of helium each to fill. Never let any person inhale the gas.
Mylar balloons will conduct electricity, the plastic balloons will not. Use care in not using metallic ribbons on mylar balloons. Some schools and hospitals have started switching to non-latex balloon substitutes for latex sports balls, decorations, science experiments and crafts. Mylar balloons can be washed with warm water and dish soap to remove the coloring. End result will be a plastic clear balloon.
Small vinyl balloons (less than 4’– 4.5 feet in size) will not float, however there are large polyurethane inflatable balloons in different shapes that can be used for outdoor events and do not contain latex. The most common shapes in jumbo inflatable’s are hot air, blimp and round shapes. Custom shapes can be made of just about anything. They are refillable, come with a patch kit, last outdoors for about a year and can be custom imprinted.
Vinyl spherical shaped balloons are an excellent mold for paper Mache' and plaster projects or even balloon toss. They are just like beach ball material. Sizes range from 5" to 96". Vinyl balloons will not float at all.
Craft teachers use the vinyl round balls for paper mache’ and molds.
Physical education teachers use the plastic and vinyl balloons in exercises.
We carry a full line of shaped sports vinyl balls.
Science teachers who seek non latex balloons for pressure experiments, try using medically certified non allergenic latex bladders, like used in operating rooms and laboratories. Some suppliers would be Merck, BD and Johnson and Johnson Compaines.
For those parents who wish a school to consider using non latex balloons, please call your school nurse or principal. Contact us for a free sample to send to your school.
Latex balloon substitutes that are now available are in the following materials: Vinyl, Plastic, Polyurethane and Mylar balloons. Medical suppliers such as Merck, Johnson and Johnson, BD sell medically certified non allergenic latex for use in hospitals, labs, operating rooms and research.
Jon Dorsey
Mister Balloon Co.
This material is for information purposes only. The writer and publisher assume no legal responsibility for any use or misuse of the information
Instead of using the plain rubber balloons for decorations, use the mylar (foil type) or plastic balloons for table centerpiece, stage and room decorations. Mylar and plastic balloons are made without latex, last weeks longer than regular rubber balloons and can be reused until the self-sealing valve fails.
To deflate a mylar or plastic balloon for recycling, remove any ribbons from the balloon; insert a common drinking straw into the valve until the air starts to come out. Gently squeeze the balloon and let the air out till flat, remove the straw, fold the flat balloon and store till next use. The mylar, plastic, polyurethane and vinyl balloons can be reused until the valve fails.
For water balloon parties, use the zip lock brand small sandwich snack bags filled in a bucket and sealed underwater, also the cheap small baggies (with no zip seal or fold lock top) can be filled with a fistful of water into the corner of the balloon, twist and then tie off like a regular balloon. Cut off the excess plastic.
The 4" sized mylars in round, heart and star shape work well as water balloons, fill with a turkey baster and water, hand tie off like a regular balloon.
The latex balloons are made of rubber; they will stretch from small to large size when they are blown up. The latex balloon substitutes (latex balloon alternative) will not stretch and are simply flat or filled.
The mylar and plastic balloons will float with sizes 18" and greater and take 0.5 cu ft of helium each to fill. Never let any person inhale the gas.
Mylar balloons will conduct electricity, the plastic balloons will not. Use care in not using metallic ribbons on mylar balloons. Some schools and hospitals have started switching to non-latex balloon substitutes for latex sports balls, decorations, science experiments and crafts. Mylar balloons can be washed with warm water and dish soap to remove the coloring. End result will be a plastic clear balloon.
Small vinyl balloons (less than 4’– 4.5 feet in size) will not float, however there are large polyurethane inflatable balloons in different shapes that can be used for outdoor events and do not contain latex. The most common shapes in jumbo inflatable’s are hot air, blimp and round shapes. Custom shapes can be made of just about anything. They are refillable, come with a patch kit, last outdoors for about a year and can be custom imprinted.
Vinyl spherical shaped balloons are an excellent mold for paper Mache' and plaster projects or even balloon toss. They are just like beach ball material. Sizes range from 5" to 96". Vinyl balloons will not float at all.
Craft teachers use the vinyl round balls for paper mache’ and molds.
Physical education teachers use the plastic and vinyl balloons in exercises.
We carry a full line of shaped sports vinyl balls.
Science teachers who seek non latex balloons for pressure experiments, try using medically certified non allergenic latex bladders, like used in operating rooms and laboratories. Some suppliers would be Merck, BD and Johnson and Johnson Compaines.
For those parents who wish a school to consider using non latex balloons, please call your school nurse or principal. Contact us for a free sample to send to your school.
Latex balloon substitutes that are now available are in the following materials: Vinyl, Plastic, Polyurethane and Mylar balloons. Medical suppliers such as Merck, Johnson and Johnson, BD sell medically certified non allergenic latex for use in hospitals, labs, operating rooms and research.
Jon Dorsey
Mister Balloon Co.
This material is for information purposes only. The writer and publisher assume no legal responsibility for any use or misuse of the information
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