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Valentine's Day Balloon Safety: FirstEnergy's Important Reminder

As Valentine's Day approaches, many of us seek to express our love with heartfelt gifts, including balloons. However, FirstEnergy, a major utility provider, is urging everyone to be vigilant about the safe handling of foil balloons filled with helium. The company warns that metallic balloons can conduct electricity, posing serious hazards when they come into contact with power lines or electrical equipment.

Historically, February has seen a spike in power outages directly linked to stray metallic balloons. In fact, these shiny decorations often accompany popular gifts such as chocolates, flowers, and cards during the romantic holiday. Last year alone, FirstEnergy reported 96 outages due to foil balloons within its service area, primarily leading the charge in New Jersey.

Breaking down the number of incidents, specific local utilities showed varying levels of challenges:

• - The Illuminating Company experienced 9 outages,
• - Ohio Edison had 16,
• - Toledo Edison faced 7,
• - Met-Ed recorded 12,
• - Penelec counted 9,
• - Penn Power tallied 4,
• - West Penn Power saw 5,
• - Mon Power reported 5,
• - Potomac Edison experienced 5,
• - Quickly trailing was JCPL with 24 outages.

The data also signals some positive news; thanks to safer balloon practices and community outreach, reported outages have decreased from 132 in 2020 to 96 in 2025, reflecting a 27% drop in incidents. Chad Stoneking, Director of Safety Operations at FirstEnergy, emphasizes that while Valentine's Day is notorious for balloon purchases, it’s vital to ensure these fun decorations don’t disrupt the electricity supply. He stated, “Although balloons add much joy to the day, we need to ensure they stay secure and are disposed of properly. A few simple precautions can help keep our loved ones happy and maintain our community's electrical reliability.”

Safe Balloon Handling Tips

To celebrate Valentine's Day while minimizing risks, FirstEnergy offers a few safety tips:

• - Keep metallic balloons away from power lines: Be aware of your surroundings, ensuring that your balloons stay away from overhead lines.
• - Secure balloons with a weight: Ensure that helium-filled metallic balloons are tied to a heavy enough weight that will prevent them from floating away. Keep the weight on until the balloons are fully deflated.
• - Deflate properly: Once the celebration is over, puncture and deflate metallic balloons before disposal. Never release them into the sky.
• - Do not attempt to retrieve balloons: If any balloon gets caught in power lines or electrical equipment, do not attempt to retrieve it. Instead, call FirstEnergy at 888-544-4877 immediately to report the situation.
• - Stay away from downed lines: If you notice a downed power line, maintain a safe distance and assume it is active. Report it right away by calling 911.

FirstEnergy is committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of electric services for over six million customers across several states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. For those wanting more information, FirstEnergy has released a video on their YouTube channel discussing the hazards linked to foil balloons and safe disposal methods. To follow the company online, visit firstenergycorp.com or follow them on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

As we celebrate this day of love and affection, let’s be responsible and ensure safety does not take a backseat. Happy Valentine’s Day!