Admittedly, 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 event day. Without inflation experience, it will take the average person approximately 2 hours to inflate 100 balloons. Also, most balloon 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 purchase ribbon, the difference in price is so small as to be insignificant compared to the inconvenience caused by trying to do the balloons yourselves.

We've been in business for 33 years. We are CBA's. As Certified Balloon Artists, we have undergone extensive training in the application of key design elements in balloon decor. QBN is the most comprehensive certification program in the professional balloon industry to ensure all participating members are knowledgeable and dedicated professionals. We use photos of our own balloon decor, unless otherwise clearly noted, on our website. We have a business license. We have Liability Insurance and can add you, your event and your venue as "Additionally Insured" for $1,000,000 of coverage. We've had our backgrounds checked and are screened for TB by the school districts in Sacramento We have a business license. We collect and pay Sales Tax. We pay our employees legally, never under the table. We specialize only in balloons. We offer Balloon Twisting and Face Painting service We have company vehicles allowing us to deliver your decor complete. We have over 200 testimonials and can provide references upon request. We are the original "Balloon Creations" in the state of California and in Sacramento. And most importantly we're family owned and operated. We make your balloon experience fun, easy and unforgettable!

Please note that all deliveries must be scheduled within a 3-hour window. If you want bouquet deliveries before 10AM on weekdays, there will be an additional charge of $10 and $25 for balloon decor. We don't deliver balloons anonymously, to students at schools, students in college dorms, guests in hotel rooms or apartment addresses. However, we can leave the items at the front desk or main office with arrangements made. Please note that we don't deliver balloons to apartments. If you're expecting a residential delivery and there's no one home, we'll try to contact you. We'll wait for your response for 5 minutes before returning the balloons back to the store. Please note that an additional delivery charge will apply to complete the delivery at a later time. Unfortunately, undeliverable orders will not be refunded. Recipients in secured buildings need to meet us at the security entrance. Please also keep in mind that hospital deliveries require ALL MYLAR arrangements only as latex balloons are not accepted due to latex allergies.

A Certified Balloon Artist (CBA) through the Qualatex Balloon Network has undergone extensive training in the application of essential design elements in balloon decor? This is the most comprehensive certification program in the professional balloon industry, designed to ensure all participating members are knowledgeable and dedicated professionals. To become a CBA, a balloon professional must have taken and passed (with a score of 80% or above) all of the QBN tests and also taken and passed (with a score of 80% or above) the CBA Practical Exam, which is a timed, 4-hour, hands-on exam designed to confirm knowledge of the QBN curriculum. Professionals who earn the CBA designation have chosen to grow their businesses through networking with other balloon professionals, continuing their education, giving and receiving referrals, and taking advantage of the marketing support available to CBAs. Currently, there are more than 2,000 Certified Balloon Artist professionals worldwide.

Please note that the lifespan of our balloons depends on their size and the materials they are made of. The larger the balloon, the more helium is required, which means it will last longer. Foil balloons tend to last longer than latex balloons. Additionally, we treat our balloons with flight extenders, which can increase their lifespan up to five times. Our sculptures are filled with nitrogen, which can make them last up to one month or longer, depending on the surrounding environment.

The text you provided has been rewritten as per your request: "Please note that the Qualatex Balloon Network (QBN) is a community of businesses that specialize in offering unique and high-quality balloon decor and bouquets featuring Qualatex products. QBN Business Members are dedicated to providing exceptional services while upholding sound and honorable business practices. They believe that balloons create a special atmosphere and communicate emotions in a unique and effective way. Their commitment to continuing education and professionalism in service ensures superior value for their customers. With this foundation, businesses featuring value-added balloon designs are set up for future success."

Choosing the right balloon company for your event can be overwhelming. One way to start is by looking for professional balloon decorators who specialize in decor. These decorators usually exhibit their work at premium event shows at the beginning of the year, which gives you a chance to compare their portfolios and take advantage of any incentives or packages they offer during the show. You can also ask the reception site coordinator for recommendations, as most hotels and halls have worked with several companies and know the real professionals. When you meet with a balloon artist, make sure they are professional and make you feel comfortable and confident in their artistic and professional ability. Ask for recent references and speak with one of them. Confirm that they have insurance and have decorated your site before, with pictures to show. Find out if they offer packages and if they are willing to do small, intimate decor or only large extravagant decor. Ask if delivery and set up is included, and if possible, visit a site shortly to observe their work. Additionally, check if they are a Qualatex CBA (Certified Balloon Artist) and if they have a professional website (not just an Instagram or Facebook page).

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 sap of the tree 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 collection cup. Once removed from the tree, the liquid is called latex. This latex looks like milk. It's 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 use plastic ties or disks. I put together a presentation for LeTip. This is from my research. I came up with a moderate 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 known 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 only 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 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.

It's important to note that many latex balloons are often released either intentionally or unintentionally. Studies have shown that these balloons, if well-tied and structurally sound, can rise to an altitude of approximately five miles before freezing and breaking into spaghetti-like pieces that scatter as they return to earth. While it is true that animals may occasionally ingest these soft slivers of rubber, evidence suggests that the pieces ultimately pass through the digestive system without causing harm to the animal.

It's crucial to always exercise caution when handling balloons, especially those filled with helium. They can pose a danger if they become entangled in power lines. Loose balloons, particularly those made of metallic/foil/mylar materials, have the potential to cause power outages and may also cause wires to fall to the ground, leading to property damage, fire, or even injury or death. To avoid potential balloon hazards, it's important to follow these guidelines: NEVER release helium balloons outdoors, NEVER attempt to retrieve balloons that are caught in power lines, and NEVER go near a downed power line or dangling wire.

If the sound of a balloon popping startles you, you’re not alone. A bursting balloon 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 breaks the sound barrier, creating a sonic boom.

You mentioned that you put together a presentation for LeTip and did some research on the number of balloons used per year in your business. According to our research, on average, our business uses 400,000 11" latex balloons per year. It's interesting to note that each "Rubber Tree," or Hevea Brasiliensis, produces enough sap (latex) to make only two 11" latex balloons per day. This means that 548 trees somewhere in Asia or Africa work every day of the year to support our business alone. The rubber tree starts producing latex at the age of seven and continues to give latex for about 28 years until they are around 35 years old. our trees and business are now in their 33rd year, and you hope that with the support, in the next 9 years when your trees retire, we can too.

Did you know that the modern latex balloon we use today was invented during the Great Depression? A chemical engineer named Neil Tillotson, who was trying to make inner tubes from liquid latex, scrawled a cat's head on a piece of cardboard and dipped it in the latex. When it dried, he had a "cat balloon" with ears. He made about 2,000 balloons and sold them on the street during Boston's annual Patriot Day parade. In the late 1970s, silver metalized balloons were developed for the New York City Ballet. These balloons are commonly known as Mylar, but they are actually made from metalized nylon and are more expensive than latex balloons.

Mass balloon releases come under fire from misinformed critics who inaccurately claim releases generate a major source of litter and threaten the ecology. While anecdotal, subjective “evidence” is usually cited to support these assertions, corroborating factual data is rarely presented. Important facts you should know about latex balloon releases: Only latex balloons are used by professionals in mass releases. Industry guidelines require these balloons to be self-tied and have no attached strings or ribbons — each released balloon is 100 percent biodegradable. Rarely do release balloons return to the earth’s surface intact. Studies show these balloons usually rise to an altitude of about five miles. At that point, freezing and air pressure cause “brittle fracture” creating spaghetti-like pieces that scatter to the four winds. While some balloons don’t reach this altitude, research indicates that in an average 500-balloon release, the unexploded balloon return density is no greater than one per 15 square miles. Research shows that regardless of the latex balloon’s ultimate form when it lands, it will decompose, forming a natural soil nutrient at the same rate as that of an oak leaf. Resources Latex Allergies Avoiding Choking Accidents Balloon Litter Balloon Releases Where Do Balloons Go When They Fall On The Ground Learning About Permeability Measuring How Fast Helium Filled Balloons Rise Which Way Is The Wind Blowing Some of the answers above were provided from The Balloon Council. Please visit this site for more information: http://www.balloonhq.com Edit It's important to note that mass balloon releases are often criticized for generating litter and threatening the ecology. However, these claims are often based on anecdotal evidence and are not supported by factual data. Industry guidelines require that only self-tied latex balloons with no attached strings or ribbons are used in mass releases. Studies show that released balloons usually rise to an altitude of about five miles, where they undergo brittle fracture and scatter into small pieces that decompose at the same rate as an oak leaf. Research has also shown that in an average 500-balloon release, the unexploded balloon return density is no greater than one per 15 square miles. For more information, you can visit The Balloon Council's website at http://www.balloonhq.com.

Helium is environmentally safe, non-toxic and non-flammable. Do not inhale Helium from a balloon or a helium tank because it displaces the oxygen in your lungs, causing severe lung injuries. Helium Fact Sheet Helium is a limited, natural resource On Earth, it is created by the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium. In our atmosphere, the amount of helium by volume is only 5.2 ppm (vs. Argon at .93%) Natural gas can contain helium under specific geological conditions. The amounts range from trace levels to about 5% BY VOLUME. The Helium Act of 1925, authorized the US Bureau of Mines to build and operate a large-scale helium extraction and purification plant. It paid dividends quickly as it provided the US and its World War II allies a critical supply of helium. By the mid-1950’s, as natural gas demand increased, some helium-rich sources began to dwindle. At this time, US Natural gas demand increased so dramatically much of the nation’s potential helium reserves was vented to the air. With the Helium Act Amendments of 1960 came the privatization of helium. The US Congress then provided incentives to natural gas producers to strip helium from natural gas and sell it to the United States for long-term strategic storage. Without the foresight of the US Congress and The 1960 Act, US industry might have had to rely on foreign sourced supplies of helium with the possibility of more frequent supply interruptions, plus the potential of foreign price cartels and geopolitical supply situations similar to what we experience with the supply of oil today. President Clinton signed the helium Privatization Act of 1996 on October 9, 1996.This law directed the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to cease pure helium production and to offer for sale the approximately 29+Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) of crude helium (Che) in the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve fields contained about 25.5 BCF at the end of the fiscal year 2005. The United States represents 21% of the worlds known helium reserve. It produces 77% percent of the world’s annual consumption. Helium produced in Algeria, Poland, and Russia is sold almost exclusively into European markets, and helium produced in Qatar is sold solely into Asian markets. These countries combined own 79% of the worldwide helium reserves yet provided only 23%. According to the US Department of Commerce, US domestic consumption of helium declined between 2000 and 2005 at an average of 2.3% per year. Exports however, increased at an average rate of 7.5% per year over the same five year period, reflecting demand increases in emerging economies where helium is not produced. In 2005, US consumption decreased 4.7 percent, but exports increased by 16.9%.