Can static make balloons burst? Although it could have been the weather.   :cry:

This morning, I made 8 lots of three balloons. I had four balloons pop without me actually touching them. There seemed to be a lot of static, so much so that the hanging ribbons were clinging to the balloons.

So can static cause the balloons to burst? I also mentioned the weather as I had helium filled the balloons in my workshop which was quite cold, placed the balloons into a large bag and made them up at the venue, this was done to give me more time as I had another balloon job as well as three magic shows to do!!!

Could that short spell in the cold and then into the warm hotel have caused the balloons to pop?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop the static when working with balloons? Would a spray of water in the air help?

Thanks for any help

Yes, static can and does pop balloons.  I attended a mini convention once and there was quite a bit of balloon decor on display on a carpeted floor.  The event organizers sprayed the floor with Static Guard before and during the convention.  I asked why and they said they had to deal with a lot of static electricity in their area so they take the precaution of pre-spraying the display area to minimize it's effects.

If you are dealing with static while twisting, a dryer sheet in the bottom of your apron pouches does wonders.

Bonnie, The Balloon Lady

Quote from: "Bonnie"If you are dealing with static while twisting, a dryer sheet in the bottom of your apron pouches does wonders.

Bonnie, The Balloon Lady

nice tip bonnie, I'll try that. It could have something with the new shirts I'm wearing, they seem to have a lot of static, while wearing them they are sometimes sticking to me with the static.

Hi Billy,

Yes, spraying a fine spray of water in the air near the balloons can help prevent static popping them.

Also, the helium will expand when you take the inflated balloon from a cold to a warm environment, so if the balloons were inflated close to, or at, their stated size in the cold environment, it is quite possible the expansion of the helium would cause the balloon to burst when you were in the venue.

Slightly under inflating when going from cold to warm, and vice versa is a good rule-of-thumb.

Hope this helps

--Neil