Keep Balloons Away From Power Lines

If you’re in love this Valentine’s Day, declare it in ways other than releasing balloons into the sky.

Runaway balloons—especially metallic ones—too often come into contact with overhead power lines. When they do, they can cause a temporary power outage. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses lose their power every year when helium-filled foil balloons drift into power lines.

The balloon’s metallic coating can conduct electricity. So when the balloon touches a wire, it can start a fire or create an electrical surge. Either way, power in the neighborhood goes out, home electronics are at risk and the electric cooperative’s property can be damaged.

If you must take balloons outdoors, secure them with weights so they won’t get loose. Don’t take them near overhead power lines or deliberately set them free to float through the sky.

If a balloon does get stuck in a power line, do not try to retrieve it yourself. Instead, call your electric cooperative, report it and let the pros remove it.