Don't Let Balloons Float Up and Take Down Power This Valentine's Day
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has issued a safety reminder about the risks of helium-filled foil balloons to power infrastructure ahead of Valentine's Day. In the previous year, metallic balloons caused 109 power outages across FirstEnergy's service areas, with JCP&L reporting the highest number at 22 incidents. The company serves over six million customers across six states.
The metallic coating on foil balloons conducts electricity and can interfere with power lines when released outdoors. FirstEnergy's Director of Distribution System Operations, Lisa Rouse, noted that while community outreach has helped reduce balloon-related outages, continued vigilance is necessary. The company provided safety guidelines including proper balloon securing, careful handling near power lines, and proper disposal procedures.
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) ha emesso un avviso di sicurezza riguardo ai rischi dei palloni di alluminio riempiti con elio per le infrastrutture elettriche in vista della Festa di San Valentino. Nell'anno precedente, i palloni metallici hanno causato 109 interruzioni di corrente nelle aree di servizio di FirstEnergy, con JCP&L che ha segnalato il numero più alto con 22 incidenti. L'azienda serve oltre sei milioni di clienti in sei stati.
Il rivestimento metallico dei palloni in alluminio conduce elettricità e può interferire con le linee elettriche quando vengono liberati all'aperto. Il Direttore delle Operazioni del Sistema di Distribuzione di FirstEnergy, Lisa Rouse, ha sottolineato che sebbene la sensibilizzazione della comunità abbia aiutato a ridurre le interruzioni legate ai palloni, è necessaria una vigilanza continua. L'azienda ha fornito linee guida di sicurezza, inclusi metodi appropriati di fissaggio dei palloni, maneggiamento con attenzione vicino alle linee elettriche e procedure corrette di smaltimento.
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) ha emitido un recordatorio de seguridad sobre los riesgos de los globos de aluminio llenos de helio para la infraestructura eléctrica de cara al Día de San Valentín. El año pasado, los globos metálicos causaron 109 interrupciones de energía en las áreas de servicio de FirstEnergy, siendo JCP&L quien reportó la mayor cantidad con 22 incidentes. La empresa atiende a más de seis millones de clientes en seis estados.
El recubrimiento metálico de los globos de aluminio conduce electricidad y puede interferir con las líneas eléctricas cuando se sueltan al aire libre. Lisa Rouse, Directora de Operaciones del Sistema de Distribución de FirstEnergy, destacó que aunque la sensibilización comunitaria ha ayudado a reducir las interrupciones relacionadas con globos, es necesaria una vigilancia continua. La empresa proporcionó pautas de seguridad que incluyen la correcta sujeción de los globos, un manejo cuidadoso cerca de las líneas eléctricas y procedimientos de eliminación adecuados.
퍼스트에너지 Corp. (NYSE: FE)는 발렌타인 데이를 앞두고 헬륨으로 채워진 포일 풍선이 전력 인프라에 미치는 위험에 대한 안전 알림을 발표했습니다. 지난해, 금속 풍선은 퍼스트에너지가 서비스하는 지역에서 109건의 정전을 발생시켰으며, JCP&L이 22건으로 가장 많은 사고를 보고했습니다. 이 회사는 6개 주에서 600만 명 이상의 고객에게 서비스를 제공합니다.
포일 풍선의 금속 코팅은 전기를 전도하며 외부에서 방출될 때 전선과 간섭할 수 있습니다. 퍼스트에너지의 배전 시스템 운영 이사인 리사 라우즈는 지역 사회의 홍보 활동이 풍선 관련 정전을 줄이는 데 도움이 되었지만 지속적인 경계가 필요하다고 강조했습니다. 회사는 적절한 풍선 고정, 전선 근처에서의 주의 깊은 취급 및 올바른 폐기 절차를 포함한 안전 지침을 제공했습니다.
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) a émis un rappel de sécurité concernant les risques des ballons en aluminium remplis d'hélium pour les infrastructures électriques à l'approche de la Saint-Valentin. L'année dernière, les ballons métalliques ont causé 109 pannes de courant dans les zones de service de FirstEnergy, JCP&L signalant le plus grand nombre avec 22 incidents. L'entreprise sert plus de six millions de clients dans six États.
Le revêtement métallique des ballons en aluminium conduit l'électricité et peut interférer avec les lignes électriques lorsqu'ils sont relâchés à l'extérieur. Lisa Rouse, la Directrice des opérations du système de distribution de FirstEnergy, a noté que, bien que les efforts de sensibilisation de la communauté ont aidé à réduire les pannes liées aux ballons, une vigilance continue est nécessaire. L'entreprise a fourni des lignes directrices de sécurité, y compris un bon maintien des ballons, une manipulation prudente à proximité des lignes électriques et des procédures d'élimination appropriées.
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) hat eine Sicherheitswarnung zu den Risiken von mit Helium gefüllten Folienballons für die Strominfrastruktur anlässlich des Valentinstags herausgegeben. Im letzten Jahr verursachten metallische Ballons 109 Stromausfälle in den Versorgungsgebieten von FirstEnergy, wobei JCP&L mit 22 Vorfällen die höchste Zahl meldete. Das Unternehmen bedient über sechs Millionen Kunden in sechs Bundesstaaten.
Die metallische Beschichtung von Folienballons leitet Elektrizität und kann beim Freilassen im Freien die Stromleitungen beeinträchtigen. Die Direktorin für den Betrieb des Verteilungssystems von FirstEnergy, Lisa Rouse, merkte an, dass die Öffentlichkeitsarbeit der Gemeinde dazu beigetragen hat, die durch Ballons verursachten Ausfälle zu reduzieren, aber weiterhin Wachsamkeit erforderlich ist. Das Unternehmen stellte Sicherheitsrichtlinien zur Verfügung, die das ordnungsgemäße Sichern von Ballons, vorsichtigen Umgang in der Nähe von Stromleitungen und ordnungsgemäße Entsorgungsverfahren umfassen.
- None.
- 109 power outages reported across service areas due to balloon incidents
- Operational disruption risk from metallic balloons affecting service reliability
FirstEnergy reminds customers to be careful with helium-filled balloons
A video discussing the hazards posed by foil balloons is available on FirstEnergy's YouTube channel and media can download soundbites on Dropbox.
February typically marks the onset of an increase in outages caused by metallic balloons, as they float off from Valentine's Day gifts. Last year, foil balloons were to blame for 109 power outages across FirstEnergy's service area:
- The Illuminating Company – 13 balloon-related outages
- Ohio Edison – 18 balloon-related outages
- Toledo Edison – 9 balloon-related outages
- Met-Ed – 18 balloon-related outages
- Penelec – 8 balloon-related outages
- Penn Power – 1 balloon-related outage
- West Penn Power – 12 balloon-related outages
- Mon Power – 3 balloon-related outages
- Potomac Edison – 5 balloon-related outages
- JCP&L – 22 balloon-related outages
Lisa Rouse, Director of Distribution System Operations at FirstEnergy: "While our community outreach has helped reduce balloon-related outages from previous years, people of all ages can help keep the lights on in our local communities by understanding the steps to take to eliminate the dangers posed by foil balloons."
To help ensure holidays and celebrations are enjoyed responsibly, it is important to keep these safety tips in mind:
- Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.
- Securely tie helium-filled metallic balloons to a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Do not remove the weight until the balloons are deflated.
- Puncture and deflate metallic balloons once they are no longer in use. Never release them into the sky.
- Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone and immediately call FirstEnergy at 888-544-4877 to report the problem.
- Stay far away from a downed or low-hanging power line. Always assume downed lines are energized and dangerous. Report them ASAP by calling 911.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
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