Header

Mylar balloons go up, power goes out

Last year, 66,000 APS customers lost service when balloons hit power lines. APS offers suggestions to reduce outages and keep customers safe.

Last year alone, balloons caused 83 power outages in APS service territory, interrupting service to nearly 66,000 APS customers. Among outages caused by balloons so far this year, one affected more than 14,000 APS customers, but most balloon-related outages take place between Valentine’s Day and graduation season.

When released outdoors, Mylar balloons can travel great distances and are non-biodegradable. To keep balloons from wearing out their welcome and to stay safe around power lines, APS suggests:

  • Only using balloons indoors and away from overhead power lines. Even non-metallic balloons can become entangled in lines and cause an outage.
  • Always attaching a weight to metallic balloons or keeping them tethered at all times.
  • Never playing with balloons, kites or drones around overhead power lines.
  • Always deflating balloons and disposing of them properly when no longer in use.
  • Always assuming power lines are energized. Keep yourself, your equipment and all other items at least 100 feet away from power lines.

Safety with mylar balloons.



Media Contact:
Lily Quezada
(602) 250-4643

Related stories

4/10/2024
Year Round Maintenance, New Technology Increase APS Wildfire Resilience
2/12/2024
Keep Your Sweetheart Safe: Prevent Valentine’s Day Balloon Hazards
11/30/2023
APS Is Ready for Winter Storms; Offers Ways Customers Can Prepare
Newsroom
View up to date news, articles and stories related to APS in the community.
PlaceHolder
Copyright © 2024 APS.  All rights reserved.
Current server address is 10.21.64.108