Balloons make everything feel a little more like a celebration. With a little care, they can also stay looking their best for longer.
Whether you are preparing a DIY balloon kit or caring for an inflated display, these simple tips will help you store, handle and dispose of your balloons safely.
Balloon safety first
Balloons are decorations, not toys. Uninflated and broken balloons can present a choking or suffocation risk.
- Always supervise children around balloons, ribbons and strings.
- Keep uninflated and burst balloons away from children and pets.
- Do not give balloons to babies or attach them to a cot, pram or stroller.
- Discard broken or damaged balloons immediately.
For more information, please refer to the ACCC Product Safety guidance.
How should I store uninflated balloons?
Keep balloons in their original packaging in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and humidity. Avoid storing them in a hot car, outdoor shed or beside a sunny window.
Keep balloons away from sharp objects and rough surfaces that may puncture or weaken the material.
How do I care for inflated balloons?
- Keep balloons indoors whenever possible.
- Avoid direct sunlight, heaters and extreme temperatures.
- Keep balloons away from ceiling fans, vents and rough walls.
- Carry balloon arrangements carefully through doors and narrow spaces.
- Do not over-inflate balloons.
Foil balloons may soften in cold conditions and expand when exposed to heat. Allow them to return to room temperature before deciding that they need more air.
How long do balloons last?
Balloon life varies depending on the material, inflation method, temperature and handling.
Helium-filled latex balloons are generally best enjoyed on the day of your event. Foil balloons can often last for several days, while air-filled balloon displays may last considerably longer when kept indoors and handled carefully.
These timeframes are general estimates and cannot be guaranteed.
Can balloons be used outdoors?
Outdoor conditions can shorten the life of balloons. Heat, sunlight, wind and rough surfaces may cause balloons to fade, deflate or burst more quickly.
If using balloons outdoors, secure them properly, keep them away from powerlines and never leave them unattended.
How should I dispose of balloons?
Once the celebration is over, fully deflate your balloons and place them in your general household waste unless your local council provides another disposal option.
Foil balloons may sometimes be carefully deflated and reused. Remove ribbons, weights and other accessories so they can be reused or disposed of separately.
Please never release balloons
Released balloons eventually return to the ground or waterways as litter and may harm wildlife. Balloon release rules also vary between Australian states and local council areas.
Why Knot Balloons does not recommend or supply balloons for outdoor balloon releases. You can read more through the Western Australian Government balloon release guidance.
A little care keeps the balloons looking good, the party going and the clean-up thoughtful.