Mum warns fellow parents about risks of party balloons: "This is too dangerous"
- Replies 3
After an accident injured her seven-year-old son, a worried mum took to social media to warn other parents about the hazards of party balloons.
In an effort to "raise awareness" about what could go wrong at any children's party, Tina posted a message on the Tiny Hearts Education Facebook page after her son's birthday celebration ended.
It was a few days before her son's 7th birthday celebration when Tina decided to surprise him with an elaborate balloon arrangement. So, she went to a popular party supplies shop and bought a nicely done balloon bouquet.
When the big day arrived, her son and his friends were overjoyed with the balloons and the festivities. Safe to say, everything went off without a hitch.
But it was something that occurred after the party that made Tina more careful of the common objects that are used in parties the world over.
Tina bought the balloon arrangement on the upper right side of the picture. Credit: Facebook.
Like most people, Tina kept the arrangement for a few days and only planned to dispose of the balloons once they began to shrivel.
She could still see her children having a good time playing with the biggest balloon, which contained smaller balloons inside it that she assumed were filled with helium.
But when her son took it with him to the bedroom, she suddenly heard a loud explosion that, in her own words, "rocked the whole house."
"We even saw a bit of spark or fire along with the boom. We rushed to check on him and bits of balloons were everywhere," she recalled. "Some got stuck on the ceiling and some melted on the floor tiles."
Apparently, the giant balloon and the small balloons inside it all exploded, sending bits of melted plastic all over her son's room. Thankfully, they missed the kid's eyes and face, and the only injury he got was a bit of burn on his forearm from the melted plastic.
Tina's son was burned by a melted balloon. Credit: Facebook.
Tina and her husband, both shocked, sent a message to the seller asking what caused the balloons to burst in such a violent manner.
The merchant explained that the balloons were filled with hydrogen rather than helium since it's about one-quarter cheaper than the latter. They later apologised and admitted that one of their staff forgot to put a warning sticker on the arrangement.
"This is too dangerous and not many people know this," said Tina on her Facebook post. "Like me, they would assume it's helium. Balloons are usually near cakes and lighted candles. A small spark can ignite the balloon."
Tina stated that she did not want to name and shame the balloon vendor, but rather urge parents to be cautious when purchasing floating balloons and to check whether they were filled with helium or the less expensive hydrogen option.
Thank you for the heads up, Tina! Honestly, it would have never even crossed our minds that a different gas could be used.
Think of this as a caution for yourself as well, folks, and remember to always carefully check the items you're purchasing.
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