Power Outages from Wayward Balloons Can Put
the Damper on Commencement Fun
OAKLAND,
Calif., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- It is
graduation season in California
and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has an important
reminder for the public about the safety risks associated with
helium-filled metallic balloons. If your graduation celebration
involves balloons, make sure they are secured with a weight.
Otherwise, they can float away and come into contact with overhead
power lines, causing a public safety risk.
In the first four months of 2024, metallic balloons striking
electric lines have caused nearly 112 power outages in the PG&E
service area alone, disrupting service to more than 47,000
customers. This is a 30 percent increase from the same time period
last year.
"Metallic balloons have a silvery coating, which is a conductor
for electricity. If the balloons float away and make contact with
power lines, they can short transformers, cause power outages and
melt electrical wires, causing public safety risks. We urge
everyone to celebrate responsibly and secure metallic balloons with
a weight," said Peter Kenny, Senior
Vice President of Electric Operations for PG&E.
A few years ago, more than 6,000 San
Francisco customers were without power after metallic
balloons released during a graduation ceremony came into contact
with overhead power lines. PG&E tends to see an increase in
balloon-caused outages during graduation season.
Here's a sobering example of what can happen when metallic
balloons become lose and hit utility power lines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jzefJfBbNA
In order to significantly reduce the number of balloon-caused
outages and to help ensure that everyone can safely enjoy
graduations and Father's Day celebrations, PG&E reminds
customers to follow these important safety tips for metallic
balloons:
- "Look Up and Live!" Use caution and avoid celebrating with
metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.
- Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to
a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away.
Never remove the weight.
- When possible, keep metallic balloons indoors. Never permit
metallic balloons to be released outside, for everyone's
safety.
- Do not bundle metallic balloons together.
- Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite, drone or
toy that becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and
immediately call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the
problem.
- Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is
dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are
energized and extremely dangerous. Stay far away, keep others away
and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.
Other tips can be found at pge.com/beprepared
- Visit our Safety Action Center for balloon safety graphics and
more safety tips:
https://www.safetyactioncenter.pge.com/articles/44-celebrate-safely
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric
utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square
miles in Northern and Central
California. For more information,
visit pge.com and pge.com/news
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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company