Do not inhale!
Harmless as it may seem, inhaling helium or balloon gas can be dangerous - deadly, in fact.
When you inhale helium, it displaces oxygen. This means that as you inhale, helium is all your body gets, which can lead to a state of oxygen deprivation within seconds - and here lies the danger.
"What if I'm just inhaling from a balloon?"
Well, this common party trick, typically thought of as harmless fun, can give you temporary symptoms such as headache, nausea or light-headedness - you might even pass out!
However, it can also lead to more severe, even life-threatening conditions. These include confusion, asphyxiation, air embolism or bleeding of the lungs - especially if you inhale from a pressurized tank.
This only shows that helium inhalation can be a pretty risky business - and more often than not, it's simply not worth the risk.
Want to learn more about helium and balloon gas?
In order to raise consumers' awareness on the possible health consequences and dangers of inhaling helium or balloon gas, the European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC) has recently launched the "Do not inhale" symbol.
Where can I see this symbol?
You'll discover this symbol mainly on your balloon packaging and other party products packaged with balloons. It applies to both latex and foil balloons.
look out for the "Do not inhale gas" warning accompanying this symbol. Here's how it looks like:
Want some extra tips on how to safely have fun?
Here are 5 simple steps to handle balloons safely & responsibly: