What if your child has a latex balloon allergy and what are school policies regarding rubber balloons?

Here are some balloon tips and ideas for those who suffer from latex Allergies:

For water balloon parties, use the zip lock brand small sandwich snack bags filled in a bucket and sealed underwater, also the cheap small baggies (with no zip seal) can be filled with water and twisted/tied with a rubber band or twistie tie that you find in the produce section of the supermarket.

Also we sell the 4" mylars in round, heart and star shape in all colors, fill those with a turkey baster and water and hand tie off, they are more durable as waterballoons.

The latex balloons are made of rubber, they will stretch from small to large size when they are blown up. The latex balloon substitutes (latex alternative balloon) will not stretch and are simply flat or filled.

The mylar and plastic balloons will float with sizes 18" and greater and take 0.5 cu ft of helium each to fill.

The mylar balloons will conduct electricity, the plastic balloons will not. Use care in not using metallic ribbons on balloons as the balloons will conduct electricity.

PVC and the small vinyl balloons (less than 4.5 feet in size) will not float, however there are large vinyl inflatable balloons in different shapes that can be used for outdoor events and do not contain latex, filled with air or helium (to float).

Vinyl balloons are an Excellent mold for paper mache' projects or balloon toss. They are just like beach ball material, sizes range from 5" to 18". They will not float.

For Science teachers who are performing pressure experiments in class, try inserting a rubber balloon inside of a 18" plastic balloon.

For those parents who wish a school to ban latex balloons, please contact the school nurse or principal.

Latex balloon substitutes that are now available are in the following materials: PVC, Vinyl, Plastic and Mylar balloons. Hopefully I can find more.

For more information on this subject, run a search on the internet using the key Words "Latex free balloons" and view the information on using latex balloon alternatives.

ANOTHER ANSWERI AM NOT SURE of specific rules regarding latex balloons at schools, but if your child is allergic to latex, the schol administration as well as their teachers should be made aware of it, and I would put a reminder in writing. Because of latex allergies, MOST if not ALL hospitals do not allow them. Hospitals allow ONLY MYLAR balloons. Some allergies can be quite severe, especially things like peanut allergies, which can actually be life threatening. <<>>