- How long does the gas stay in the balloon?
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In ordinary latex balloons, the gas escapes fairly quickly from the pores of the balloon.
The approximate “floating time” is 5–7 hours*. Special balloons, e.g. foil balloons, should be used to ensure that the balloons float for a longer time.
*refer to the information from the balloon manufacturer
- Is it dangerous to inhale helium?
- Helium is lethal to inhale! When inhaling, the oxygen in the lungs is pushed aside and there is a risk of suffocation. Never let children use the gas cylinders and accessories on their own. Helium is not hazardous in normal use under the EC classification. The gas is odourless, colourless, non-toxic and does not pollute or react to other substances.
- Can you attach things to the balloons?
- You could attach, for example, a card with a greeting on a string tied to the balloon. However, the card should be lighter than a normal postcard.
- Can I order just a small amount of helium?
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Linde (former AGA) offers different cylinder sizes as standard, from 2.5 litres to 50 litres:
- 2.5 litres (0.5 m³)
- 10 litres (1.9 m³)
- 20 litres (3.7 m³)
- 50 litres (9.3 m³)
Contact your nearest Linde (former AGA) agent, which you can find from our Agent Finder.
- How should helium be handled safely?
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1. Store the gas cylinder upright and secure it to stop it falling over. Fixtures can be purchased from Linde (former AGA).
2 A. Always store and use the helium cylinder in a safe and ventilated area. B. Do not store the cylinder in damp conditions. C. Avoid abnormal heat and fire-hazardous areas.
3 In the event of a fire, move the cylinder to a safe place or evacuate the area. Call the fire brigade and tell them that there is a helium cylinder on the site.
4 Helium is stored at high pressure; in order to avoid accidents, the cylinder must never be opened without the adapted nozzle and must be securely sealed when not in use.
5 Ensure good ventilation when gas cylinders are transported in vans or cars and ensure that the cylinders are always secured during transport. There is further information on the transport of gas cylinders here.
6 If you are moving the gas cylinder or stop using the cylinder, always remove the nozzle. Remember to close the cylinder valve and release the pressure in the nozzle before you remove it.
7 Helium expands when its temperature increases. Therefore, in the winter, balloons that will be used indoors should not be filled up outside.
- How many balloons can you fill from one cylinder?
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This depends on the size/volume of the balloon and how much gas you fill it with.
An approximate number as an indication:
2.5 litre cylinder – approx. 30 balloons (30 cm)
10 litre cylinder – approx. 100 balloons (30 cm)
20 litre cylinder – approx. 230 balloons (30 cm)
50 litre cylinder – approx. 560 balloons (30 cm)
- What happens if the cylinder is not completely empty?
- It does not matter if there is gas left in the cylinder during transport, as long as the valve is securely closed. However, no refund is paid for any remaining gas.
