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Balloons v California

Thursday, 08 May 2008

How well do you know your Californian Law? For the past number of months the Senate has been trying to pass Bill 1499 which bans the sale of foil balloons in California.

The ban on foil balloons would have have an adverse impact on the industry, so perhaps if you are not aware of this it might be worth talking a few minutes to find out more.
Vote No on Senate Bill 1499 which bans the sale of foil balloons in California.

The ban on foil balloons will have an adverse impact on the industry, it could put many companys out of business and many people could lose their jobs. 35 to 40 million foil balloons are sold in California annually. These sales generate $200 million in actual dollars and one billion in indirect sales which provides approximately $80 million in sales tax revenue for California.

You may know that a law already exists that requires that all foil balloons be sold with weights. Weights on balloons prevent balloons from floating into the atmosphere. California enacted this law in 1991 (see more below). The balloon industry has trained balloon retailers across the country to adhere to the guidelines of the California Balloon Law. As a result, no other state has considered or enacted a similar law.

To our knowledge power outages due to balloons have decreased since the enactment of the California Balloon Law.

Banning balloons is drastic and unnecessary. Balloons provide happiness to children and adults of all ages. A law of this magnitude would significantly harm many of the major and smaller retailers in California. With balloons representing such a large portion of a party goods store's sales, many would be unable to make up the shortfall and go out of business. Time and money is better spent on enforcement and consumer education.

What to find out more in stay in touch with other issues which could affect your industry?
Visit the Balloon Council >>>

Remember to follow the Californian law

1. Never Use Metallic Ribbons
California law prohibits the use of foil/metallic string or ribbon, or other attachments that conduct electricity, with helium-filled latex or foil balloons, regardless of whether the balloons are for indoor or outdoor use. Foil balloons and ribbon have been known to cause power outages when balloons become entangled in power lines.

2. Use Balloon Weights
Foil Balloons must be attached to an anchor. A variety of attractive plastic weights are available to anchor balloons. The only requirement is that the weights be heavy enough to keep the balloons from floating away.

3. Never Group Foil Balloons
California law bans the grouping of foil balloons. All foil balloons must be individually weighed.

4. Individually Anchor Balloons
California law requires only foil balloons to be weighted. A mixed bouquet of helium-filled latex and foil balloons would require that each foil balloon be individually weighted. Clusters of balloons tied together stand a much greater chance of becoming tangled in power lines.

When a helium-filled foil balloon is sold with latex balloons (as in a delivery arrangement), the balloon strings or ribbons may not be tied to each other. Rather, you should tie the individual foil balloons to an anchor that weights down the group and keeps it from being released accidentally. This ensures the balloon strings will not remain tied together if they are cut off or untied from the weight.

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