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Party Smart with Mylar Balloons and Prevent Power Outages
Balloons are a staple of celebrations, from birthdays and graduations to holidays and backyard parties. But when it comes to Mylar (foil) balloons, a little caution can go a long way. These shiny party favorites can cause serious safety hazards and knock out power when they drift into overhead power lines.
In three days, three separate Mylar balloon incidents disrupted electricity for nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in the Valley.
- Balloons tangled in a power line knocked out power for approximately 6,000 customers in Chandler. APS crews safely restored service within an hour.
- A similar incident occurred in Peoria, impacting about 2,700 customers. APS restored power in just under a minute.
- A third outage impacted nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in Globe. APS crews found a Mylar balloon in a nearby tree and believe it hit a power line before landing there.
While any balloon can create a hazard when it comes in contact with power lines, the metallic coating on Mylar balloons conducts electricity and has the potential to trigger widespread outages, melt electrical equipment, cause fires, and even injure people, pets, and wildlife. Bottom line, what floats away from a celebration can create very real risks for entire neighborhoods.
While these outages were resolved quickly, each incident underscores how preventable these situations can be. APS encourages customers to keep the fun going by taking a few simple, proactive steps to use balloons safely, especially as beautiful Arizona weather lends itself to more outdoor celebrations this time of year.
APS urges folks to follow these safety tips when using balloons:
- Only use balloons indoors and away from power lines. Even non metallic balloons can become tangled in lines and cause outages.
- Secure metallic balloons with a weight, tie them down, or keep them tethered.
- Never attempt to retrieve a balloon, kite, or any object caught in a power line. If you notice balloons or other objects tangled in APS power lines, do not touch them. Report the situation by calling the APS Outage Hotline at (602) 371 3680 or by visiting aps.com/outage.
- Properly dispose of balloons by puncturing and deflating them when the celebration ends.
- Always assume power lines are energized. Stay at least 100 feet away and keep all objects a safe distance from overhead lines.
Celebrations should end with memories, not unexpected power outages. Taking simple steps to safely handle balloons can help keep communities safe and ensure the lights shine bright for every special occasion.
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