Advocate plans to expand balloon release ban after its approval in Dare County

DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — A ban on helium balloon releases expanded to most of Dare County this week. Now, the woman behind this effort is working to keep the momentum going, talking with government officials around the state about implementing the ban.

Helium balloons are known to cause harm to the environment, both in our ocean and further inland. Debbie Swick of Southern Shores is making it her mission to discourage people from releasing them. The Dare County commissioners who were present unanimously approved the ban on helium filled balloon releases after a Tuesday public hearing.

This ban covers the rest of the unincorporated communities throughout Dare County. Many of its other towns and cities put their own bans on the books. Debbie Swick told 10 On Your Side she recently started her efforts to get local governments to stop these balloons from flying at memorial services and other events.

The penalty for this ban is high compared to similar bans across the region. Swick said anyone caught could be fined $250 per balloon.

Swick encourages people to enjoy balloons indoors — without releasing them outside.

“Balloons do not make it to heaven, people,” Swick said. “I’m so sorry to say that, but they don’t. So choose an alternative that is environmentally friendly, light a candle, speak words of wisdom or remembrance, say a prayer.”

As Swick mentioned, Manteo is the only Dare County community without a balloon release ban, but she is already speaking with city leaders to put it on the books. She met with them on Wednesday night.

She is not stopping there. Swick intends to advocate for a statewide balloon release ban across North Carolina.

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