1. What is Helium?
Helium is environmentally safe, non-toxic and non flammable. Helium should not be inhaled, as it displaces the oxygen in your lungs, causing serious lung injuries. Do not inhale helium from a balloon or a helium tank under any circumstances.
Helium — The Sun Gas
The Helium Market
Early Helium Recovery Efforts
Helium from the
Bureau of Land Management System
2. How long will my balloons float?
It depends on the size of the balloon. The larger the balloon, the more helium used, therefore the longer the balloon will last. Generally foil balloons last longer than latex balloons. We also use a flight entender treatment which allows the balloons to last 5 times longer then without treatment. Also, most of our sculptures are nitrogen filled and the balloons last up to one month or longer, depending on the enviroment.
3. Are latex balloons bio-degradable?
Yes! Latex balloons are made from bio-degradable rubber tree sap and are environmentally safe. Latex balloons bio-degrade at the same rate as an oak leaf.
Latex balloons are made from 100% natural latex — not plastic. Our latex balloons are biodegradable, and decompose as fast as an oak leaf in your backyard!
The natural rubber latex that is used to make latex balloons comes from the rubber tree , Hevea Brasiliensis, that grows in Malaysia, Asia and Africa. Contrary to popular belief, latex is not the trees sap which is the vital liquid needed for growth. Tiny vessels under the rubber trees bark are the source of the worlds rubber supply.
Latex is collected by "tapping" the trees. The tree trunk is scored (cut with a knife)halfway across its width. The score is made about a millimeter deep and slanted downward at a 30 degree angle and is repeated every second or third day with each cut made directly below the previous one.
Scoring the bark opens the tubes, and the cut "weeps" or oozes latex for about two hours. A small spout inserted into the bark directs the liquid into a collect cup. Once removed from the tree, the liquid is called latex. This latex looks like milk and is shipped to America in large ocean tanker ships.
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 35 years!
Balloons were invented in 1824, the same year as the electromagnet.
Pioneer manufactures nearly one billion Qualatex latex balloons per year.
Balloon Creations By Carolyn always hand ties all our balloons. We do not us plastic ties or disks.
I put together a presentation for LeTip. This is from my research. I came up with a conservative average size and number of balloons we use per year in our business. That average is 400,000 11" latex balloon. Each Hevea Brasiliensis tree, better know as the "Rubber Tree", only produces enough sap (latex) to make two 11" latex balloons per day! 400,000 balloons divided by 2 (latex harvested per day per tree) is 200,000. Divide that by 365 days per year is 548. So for just us, Balloon Creations By Carolyn, in Sacramento California, 548 trees somewhere in Asia or Africa work every day of the year to support just our business alone!
The rubber tree starts producing latex when they are seven years old, and give latex until they are around thirty five years old. That is twenty eight years of work for our trees. Our trees and us, are now in our 19th year of business, and we hope with your support, in 9 years when our trees retire, we can too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aztMri15R7A (Fast forward till you see rubber trees)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KekZKxroPss&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pczoF3rSEN8&feature=related
There are lots of youtube videos online.
ALSO- The more balloons (latex products), the more rubber trees. And with the destruction of forests a prime environmental concern, that is an important point. Besides giving us latex, the rubber trees remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, counteracting global warming.
ALSO- Latex products are recycled and can be transformed into all kinds of rubber items: windshield wipers, car bumpers, sports equipment, and more.
4. Should we try to do the balloons ourselves?
Surely, it would be cheaper. Unless the balloons are Professionally treated with a flight extending product, they will only float for approximately 8 - 10 hours. Because of this fact balloon decor is typically created on the wedding day. Without inflation experience, it will take the average person approximately 2 hours to inflate 100 balloons. Also, most balloon wedding decorators offer excellent prices on pre-inflated bulk balloons, so that by the time you buy the uninflated balloons, rent the helium tank and inflator, and buy ribbon, the difference in price is so small as to be insignificant compared to the inconvenience caused by trying to do the balloons yourselves.
5. What is a CBA?
A Certified Balloon Artist through the Qualatex Balloon Network, have undergone extensive training in the application of key design elements in balloon decor. This is the most comprehensive certification program in the professional balloon industry to ensure all participating members are knowledgeable and dedicated professionals.
6. How do I choose a balloon company that’s right for our wedding?
Some Professional balloon decorators actually specialize in wedding decor. The True Professionals, who specialize in wedding work, exhibit at the premium bridal shows, during the beginning of each year. This offers you an excellent opportunity to compare the work in their portfolios, and enjoy incentives and packages they offer during the show. You might also ask the reception site coordinator for recommendations. Most hotels and halls have worked with several companies and know the true professionals.
When you meet the balloon artist that is right for you, you will feel it. That person should be professional and make you feel comfortable and confident in their artistic and professional ability. They will take time to listen to you and they will offer suggestions that will achieve the look and effect that you want, not just what they want to sell you.
Some questions for you to ask are:
- Do they have recent references?
- May you speak with one of their references?
- Do they have insurance? Ask for proof.
- Have they ever decorated your site? Do they have pictures of your site decorated?
- Do they offer wedding packages?
- Are they willing to do small, intimate decor, or only large extravagant decor?
- Is delivery and set up included?
- Would it be possible for you to visit a site in the near future to observe their work?
- Are they a Qualatex CBA (Certified Balloon Artist)?
7. Why should I be careful with Metallic balloons outside?
Helium filled balloons can be dangerous if they become tangled in power lines. Loose balloons, especially metallic/foil/mylar balloons, can cause power outages and may cause wires to fall to the ground resulting in property damage, fire, and even injury or death. Avoid potential balloon hazards by following these tips.
NEVER let helium balloons drift away outdoors.
NEVER try to retrieve balloons caught in a power line. And NEVER go near a downed power line or dangling wire.
8. What happens when a balloon pops?
If the sound of a balloon popping startles you, you’re not alone. A bursting balloon actually creates a small sonic boom! Once a hole is made in an inflated balloon, the quick release of the balloons energy, or air, causes the hole to grow at almost the speed of sound in rubber. Since this speed is much higher than the speed of sound in air, the hole in the balloon actually breaks the sound barrier, creating a sonic boom.
9. How many balloons does Balloon Creations By Carolyn use per year?
I put together a presentation for LeTip. This is from my research. I came up with a conservative average size and number of balloons we use per year in our business. That average is 400,000 11" latex balloon. Each Hevea Brasiliensis tree, better know as the "Rubber Tree", only produces enough sap (latex) to make two 11" latex balloons per day! 400,000 balloons divided by 2 (latex harvested per day per tree) is 200,000. Divide that by 365 days per year is 548. So for just us, Balloon Creations By Carolyn, in Sacramento California, 548 trees somewhere in Asia or Africa work every day of the year to support just our business alone!
The rubber tree starts producing latex when they are seven years old, and give latex until they are around thirty five years old. That is twenty eight years of work for our trees. Our trees and us, are now in our 19th year of business, and we hope with your support, in 9 years when our trees retire, we can too!
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