Balloons are loads of fun. Who hasn't let go of one at least once in their lifetime? However, did you know that releasing balloons (on purpose or accidentally) can seriously harm animals and the environment? Balloons can take years to break down, even the "biodegradable" kind. In fact, they may never break down at all,  polluting the environment. Another serious problem is that many animals mistake balloons for foliage and food, swallowing these harmful plastics that get caught in their digestive track. This, in turn, prevents the animals from eating and collecting nutrients. After a few weeks, they starve to death. So, next time you're at a birthday party or a holiday celebration, ask yourself this: "Is it really worth it to kill an animal for a few seconds of my enjoyment?"

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