Gases and engineering company BOC has raised its concerns over a recent segment on popular US television program The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon which showed the host and actor Morgan Freeman inhaling helium from balloons.
BOC says the segment depicting the high-profile pair speaking in “funny” voices after inhaling helium is no laughing matter.
While it is popularly recognised that inhaling helium can produce humorous speech, as a major supplier of helium throughout Australia and the South Pacific, BOC has warned it is not always harmless fun.
“People should be reminded that the practice of inhaling helium can have harmful or even deadly consequences,’’ said Melissa Hayes, General Manager of Communications for BOC.
“We urge people to always follow the safety warnings and use helium and other industrial gases only in the manners for which they are intended.
“There are many risks associated with intentionally breathing in helium such as cutting off oxygen supply and rupturing the lungs from inhaling too deeply.
“The best advice is to avoid this behaviour as it is not worth the risk for the sake of a joke,’’ Ms Hayes said.
Morgan Freeman had previously performed the helium stunt promoting the Science Channel’s Through the Wormholeseries in May this year, drawing criticism from BOC at the time.
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