Screw the filling kit into the cylinder 'finger tight' - DO NOT USE A SPANNER.

Slowly open the cylinder tap anti-clockwise. You might hear a firm 'popping' sound.

Inflating a latex balloon using the latex filling kit

Place the neck of the latex balloon over the rubber tip, tilt the tip at any angle to begin inflating the balloon.

When the balloon is 'pear shaped' - stop inflating and tie a knot in the balloon.

Inflating a foil balloon

Hold the neck of the foil balloon over the nozzle and push back, release when balloon is fully inflated.

Do not over fill the foil balloon, leave some creases in the balloon to allow for temperature change.

After you have finished inflating your helium balloons, turn the cylinder off, release the helium trapped in the filling kit and remove the kit before transporting the helium cylinder.

If you have any problems inflating your balloons contact balloon.co.uk on 08459 002 007 or email us - b@lloon.com

Company History: How did balloon.co.uk look in the beginning?

Who would have thought that 25 years ago when David Saker, started work as a Saturday boy at probably the UK's first balloon shop, Kite and Balloon, in London, it would lead to where he is today. Today David is the proud owner of two retail balloon shops within the central Birmingham area. Working full time in the balloon print room and driving the delivery van gave David the inspiration to start his own business. Ten years ago, with money borrowed from friends and family, accompanied by a move to the Midlands, Balloon Attack was born in the spare bedroom of his house. Initially until the decorating jobs began to roll in, David tried selling helium foil balloons in hospital receptions, on markets and at village fetes.   The business began to take off with mainly small weddings and parties when the yellow pages advert he had placed was issued. We have to remember that 10 years ago there were very few freelance jobs around, unlike now, because the industry has grown phenomenally there is always someone somewhere requiring an extra pair of hands. All the experience gained and the money that was earned was done single-handed. David worked alone for around a year then took on part-time staff who were prepared to work as and when they were required. The business grew and grew until it became time to move onwards and upwards. A shop became vacant in Bearwood, local to where David lived, the rent and rates were reasonable and with the regular customer base that had been gained over the years basic mathematics said that the business would still break even without increasing the turnover at all. This of course was not the case and Balloon Attack increased in turnover and most importantly reputation. Whilst Balloon Attack was expanding David started another business, called The Black Balloon Company. This company concentrates on balloon releases and races and during August 1996 organised over 700! To start with David put in £1,000 to the new business and used this money to mail shot 4,000 locations who may be interested in having a balloon release. With the money made in the first year 10,000 locations were targeted. Following its success a bank loan was taken out and 50,000 locations were targeted. In a nutshell The Black Balloon Company will organise all the requirements you need for a Do It Yourself balloon release. The required quantity of balloons along with the correct size release net, race labels if required, are shipped to the venue, the gas is ordered and delivered direct from the gas company and hey presto you have a balloon release. All the customer has to provide is the labour (this can also be provided but at a price as the release could be anywhere in the country). Birmingham Balloons In January 1997 the opportunity to purchase an existing all be it run down balloon shop in Birmingham city centre arose. The shop had been trading since 1982 so had a good customer base but had been left to falter due to ill health by its owner at the time. David saw the potential and a deal was struck. Along with the four storey building came a balloon printing machine and Janet its trusty operator! This opened up another door that has become a business in its own right. Dramatic changes had to be made to the shop to begin its rise to success. Still keeping the original trading name of Balloons n' Things to maintain the continuity with the general public but with immediate effect all the prices were increased. A complete refurbishment of the actual shop floor area including the introduction of a counter: better displays of foil and latex balloons and window displays that were eye catching to the public and would entice them through the door: To complete the new image a major advertising campaign was undertaken, predominantly Yellow Pages. As many as 20 different area books were advertised in, in order to spread the word. Sales in the new shop began to increase almost overnight initially due to the price increases in store but as the adverts were seen the decorating jobs increased and so to did the orders for printed balloons. Along with the increase in sales came an increase in staff. From working single handed David now has nine staff between the two shops, four full-time including himself and the rest part-lime mainly at weekends or whenever the workload dictates. David places great importance on the staff and ensuring they are happy, at the end of the day the staff are your business, they are at the forefront dealing with the customer on a daily basis. Many is the time that the customer never sees the owner only the workers. They are trusted implicitly and are rewarded accordingly.   Then came the internet..... The company aquired both 'balloon.com' & 'balloon.co.uk' and retail shops became outdated compared to the 24/7 service of the internet. Today The Black Balloon Ltd provides printed balloons and helium for 'planet earth' - and each year the websites go higher up the rankings and sales increase. Balloon Race Following bad press regarding balloons races we took one step further with our internet campagne and built a Virtual Balloon Race. Balloons can be boosted by playing Game of the Day or requesting boost donations. The Virtual Balloons fly over real live websites and also works as a random search engine.