Why do some party balloons explode with fire? It’s not helium’s fault. Helium is an inert gas—completely non-flammable and totally safe. But some people confuse it with hydrogen, which is highly flammable. Hydrogen floats even better and costs less, so it's sometimes used in cheap party balloons or science demos. But when a spark or flame hits a hydrogen-filled balloon, it can explode in a ball of fire. So if you ever see a balloon burst into flames, remember: it wasn’t helium—it was hydrogen. |