Excerpt from the “Banned and Restricted” List

Hydrogen balloon

Restricted to a small balloon inflated < 200mm. Highly flammable and extremely loud noise. Can cause burns from molten rubber, fire and damage to ear drums.  Highly flammable 2.1

• Use helium balloons as they are better quality
• Teacher demo only
• Balloon diameter below 20 cm.
• Check with the students to see if anyone is sensitive to loud noises and ensure students are a fair distance back so they don’t get showered with balloon fragments.
• As an alternative bubble the hydrogen through soapy (detergent) water and then use a gas light or a burning taper to light the bubbles as they float up. You can get some loud cracks.