'Immediately stop using': Health Canada warns balloon-blowing kits could cause 'hallucinations'

Health Canada released a consumer product advisory on this week, warning that balloon blowing-kits that were available on Amazon.ca “pose a chemical hazard.” (Health Canada)

Health Canada released a consumer product advisory this week, warning that balloon blowing-kits that were available on Amazon.ca “pose a chemical hazard.”

Balloon-blowing kits consist of a short plastic straw and a solvent mixture, where children can form balloons and bubbles. However, these products are banned in Canada. The affected products for this alert are:

“The safety concern is that blowing the balloons exposes a child to inhaling the vapours of any solvents present,” Health Canada wrote in its advisory. “If children blow this type of solvent containing balloon for extended periods they may experience early symptoms of central nervous system depression or dysfunction, including euphoria, hallucinations, dizziness, and difficulties with coordination of voluntary movements.”

Health Canada says these products “have been removed from sale online from Amazon.ca,” and that they’ve contacted foreign third-party sellers. Amazon.ca says 127 units of the affected products were sold in Canada between November 2023 and November 2024, adding that no incidents or injuries have been reported.

Affected consumers can report any health or safety incidents related to product use can fill out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.