Releasing helium balloons into the atmosphere is detrimental to the environment and dangerous to animals.
In February, Maryland state lawmakers passed a bill that prohibits people from releasing balloons. According to the bill, the Department of the Environment is required to enforce the rules, and residents who break them could face a fine of up to $250. Maryland's Governor has not signed this bill into law, yet.
Balloons travel hundreds of miles before they pop and litter the environment and kill various animals that ingest the balloons that are commonly made of dangerous materials.
The good news is that Maryland's local government is working on a statewide ban of balloon releases during the 2020 legislative session.
Find out more about why balloons are so bad for animals here: https://www.thedodo.com/in-the-wild/balloons-hurt-animals-risks
Photo: Dead bird tangled in a balloon. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
