A 33-year-old woman from Hanoi, Vietnam, suffered severe burns after a birthday party balloon exploded in a shocking accident.
On Monday, Seoul Shinmun reported that the woman sustained second-degree burns to her hands and face after a balloon she was holding caught fire. She shared a video of the accident on social media to warn others about the dangers of certain party balloons.
In the video, the woman can be seen dancing while holding a birthday cake with lit candles and party balloons in one hand. As she blew out the candles, one of the balloons brushed against the flame and exploded instantly, engulfing her in flames.
She screamed, dropped the cake, and backed away, but not before sustaining significant burns. A medical exam later confirmed that about 10% of her body suffered a mix of first- and second-degree burns.
The woman posted photos of her bandaged face and arms, explaining that her injuries will take up to six months to heal.
Authorities determined that the balloon exploded because it was filled with hydrogen gas instead of helium. While helium is commonly used in balloons because it is non-flammable, some balloons are still filled with hydrogen because it’s cheaper despite the known risks.
Hydrogen-filled balloons are highly flammable and can explode with minimal exposure to heat, such as from a candle flame or even a cigarette ember. In contrast, helium balloons simply deflate when popped and are not explosive.
Safety experts warn that hydrogen-filled balloons can ignite from static electricity, hot air, or even light bulbs. Since hydrogen and helium balloons look identical, it’s nearly impossible to distinguish them by appearance alone. To prevent similar accidents, experts recommend checking with suppliers and avoiding hydrogen-filled balloons.
