| Did you know that there are special balloon laws in | | | | conductive material, and filled with a gas lighter than |
| California? Did you even know that there was such a | | | | air, or any balloon filled with a gas lighter than air that |
| thing as balloon laws? | | | | is attached to an electrically conductive string, tether, |
| Here in California we have balloon laws that the rest | | | | streamer, or other electrically conductive |
| of the country doesn't have... yet. But even if you're | | | | appurtenance, except as specified. The lobbying |
| not in California, it's important to know about the | | | | efforts of the balloon industry succeeded in bringing |
| balloon laws. | | | | about a compromise, although the bill’s passage |
| Why you ask? Because mylar balloons that are let | | | | still would have meant significant changes in the use |
| loose could cause power failures. That's what the | | | | of mylar balloons here in California. |
| laws are all about. Below is a quick summary of the | | | | After passing the Senate and the Assembly, SB1499 |
| California balloon law... | | | | was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who |
| 1. Every helium filled foil balloon, (or electrically | | | | determined that other bills were a higher priority for |
| conducive material containing a gas lighter than air), | | | | the State of California. There is already a balloon law |
| must be anchored to something heavy enough to | | | | in place here in California. Current law mandates that |
| hold it down. It can be a fishing weight, a washer, a | | | | helium-filled balloons be affixed to weights, attached |
| cute little plastic weight, etc., just so long as it’s | | | | to ribbon made of non-conductive material, and |
| heavy enough to hold it down. | | | | feature a label warning of the dangers of releasing |
| 2. Don’t tie metallic or electrically conducive | | | | balloons into the atmosphere. The current law has |
| ribbon to ANY helium balloon | | | | been in effect since 1990. |
| 3. Don’t group foil balloons together in one | | | | Although the balloon industry dodged this bullet, |
| bunch- individually tie each balloon to the weight. | | | | it’s important for anyone who puts on events to |
| 4. Don’t do balloon releases with foil balloons | | | | be aware of the current balloon laws, and make sure |
| There’s a bit more, but that’s really the gist | | | | that they are followed, so that we don’t again |
| of it. It’s really important to follow them because | | | | face an all-out ban on helium-filled mylar balloons. In |
| loose foil balloons theoretically could put out the lights | | | | practical terms, what does this mean? It means that |
| for a whole neighborhood. In California we almost | | | | decorators in California can’t make helium filled |
| even lost the right to sell helium filled foil balloons. If | | | | arches out of mylar balloons, unless there is an |
| we don't use them responsibly, we could lose the fun | | | | anchor attached to each and every one of those |
| and excitement that foil balloons can bring to an | | | | mylar balloons- which would make it perfectly |
| event. And if it almost happened here, it could | | | | appropriate décor for the back of the stage, or as |
| happen in other places too... | | | | a wall dressing, but not for over a dance floor. Also, |
| For more information on Gov. Schwarzenegger saving | | | | mylar balloons cannot be used as free-floating |
| the balloon, here's a reprint of an article I wrote on | | | | balloons on the ceiling. In a room with panel ceilings, |
| my blog a while back… | | | | however, the same look could be achieved by |
| Gov. Schwarzenegger saves the balloons! | | | | hanging air-filled mylar balloons from the ceiling. One |
| In April 2008 Senate Bill 1499 was introduced in the | | | | last tip, often at events, guests would like to take |
| State Senate Public Safety Committee. Introduced to | | | | some of the balloons home with them. Having some |
| the Senate by Senator Scott and the power | | | | extra balloon weights on hand would enable your |
| companies, who contended that mylar balloons could | | | | guests to take their souvenir home, without violating |
| cause massive power failures. The bill would have | | | | the California balloon laws, or running the risk of |
| made it a crime for any person to sell or distribute | | | | inadvertently causing a power failure. |
| any balloon that is constructed of electrically | | | | |