Safety Precautions for Helium Balloons This Valentine's Day to Prevent Power Outages
Don't Let Balloons Float Up and Take Down Power This Valentine's Day
As Valentine's Day approaches, many celebrate by giving gifts, including helium-filled foil balloons. While these colorful decorations enhance the festive atmosphere, it’s important to remember they can also pose a risk to power lines and electrical systems. FirstEnergy Corp., a major utility provider, is urging customers to take safety precautions to prevent power disruptions.
Recently, the company issued a warning regarding the hazardous nature of metallic balloons when released outdoors. These foil balloons can conduct electricity due to their metallic coating, which can lead to dangerous situations, including power outages. Notably, February tends to see an uptick in incidents where these balloons interfere with electrical systems, linked closely with Valentine’s Day celebrations.
In 2024, the misuse of foil balloons led to a staggering 109 power outages across FirstEnergy's service areas. The breakdown was as follows:
- - The Illuminating Company: 13 outages
- - Ohio Edison: 18 outages
- - Toledo Edison: 9 outages
- - Met-Ed: 18 outages
- - Penelec: 8 outages
- - Penn Power: 1 outage
- - West Penn Power: 12 outages
- - Mon Power: 3 outages
- - Potomac Edison: 5 outages
- - Jersey Central Power & Light (JCPL): 22 outages
Lisa Rouse, Director of Distribution System Operations at FirstEnergy, emphasizes the importance of educating the community to minimize these risks. She stated, “While our community outreach has been effective in reducing balloon-related outages in previous years, we encourage everyone to follow safety measures to help keep our local communities illuminated.”
To ensure that celebrations remain joyous and do not turn into emergencies, here are essential safety tips for balloon handling:
1. Stay Clear of Electric Lines: Avoid using metallic balloons near overhead electrical lines. It's better to celebrate without the risk.
2. Secure Balloons Properly: Always anchor helium-filled metallic balloons with a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. It is crucial not to remove this weight until the balloons are completely deflated.
3. Dispose of Balloons Responsibly: After the event, remember to puncture and deflate metallic balloons. Never release them into the air as this could endanger power lines.
4. Do Not Retrieve Balloons: If a balloon does get caught in power lines, do not attempt to retrieve it. Report the issue to FirstEnergy immediately by calling 888-544-4877.
5. Report Downed Power Lines: Always maintain a safe distance from any downed or sagging power lines and assume they are live. Call 911 to report any hazards promptly.
FirstEnergy remains committed to providing safe and reliable power to over six million customers spread across regions including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. With significant infrastructure, including more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines, the company places high importance on community safety and operational excellence.
In essence, while it’s wonderful to express love through gifts, it’s equally essential to ensure those gifts don’t lead to unintended consequences. Enjoy Valentine’s Day and remember to prioritize safety when using helium-filled foil balloons.
For more information, customers are encouraged to follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on social media platforms such as X @FirstEnergyCorp. Let’s celebrate safely this Valentine’s season, keeping power flowing and communities bright!
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