Make Sure the Celebration for Your Graduate is As Bright as Their Future by Keeping the Lights on this Graduation Season

Rhea-AI Summary

During graduation season in California, PG&E warns about the safety risks of helium-filled metallic balloons. In the first four months of 2021, balloon-related incidents caused nearly 175 power outages, affecting over 107,000 customers—a significant 75% increase from the previous year. As celebrations resume, PG&E emphasizes the need for proper balloon safety practices to prevent disruptions, especially to critical facilities. The company advises securing balloons with weights and avoiding outdoor releases to mitigate potential hazards.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• 175 balloon-related power outages reported in 2021, affecting over 107,000 customers.
• 75% increase in balloon-related outages compared to the same time last year.

It is graduation season in California and an important reminder for the public about the safety risks associated with helium-filled metallic balloons. If your graduation celebration involves balloons, make sure they are secured with a weight. Otherwise, they can float away and come into contact with overhead power lines, causing a public safety risk.

In the first four months of 2021, metallic balloons striking electric lines have caused nearly 175 power outages in Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) service area alone, disrupting service to more than 107,000 customers. This is a 75 percent increase from the same time period last year. These power outages can interrupt electric service to critical facilities such as hospitals, schools and traffic lights.

At this time last year we were all sheltering at home and balloon-caused outages had declined significantly. As California safely returns to normal, PG&E is especially concerned about metallic balloon safety. If your celebration activities include metallic balloons, please ensure they are secured with a weight. If balloons fly away and make contact with overhead lines, they can cause widespread power outages.

Here’s a sobering example of what can happen when metallic balloons become loose and hit utility power lines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jzefJfBbNA

In order to significantly reduce the number of balloon-caused outages and to help ensure that everyone can safely enjoy graduations and Father’s Day celebrations, PG&E reminds customers to follow these important safety tips for metallic balloons:

• “Look Up and Live!" Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.
• Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Never remove the weight.
• When possible, keep metallic balloons indoors. Never permit metallic balloons to be released outside, for everyone's safety.
• Do not bundle metallic balloons together.
• Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite, drone or toy that becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and immediately call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.
• Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Stay far away, keep others away and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments. Other tips can be found at pge.com/beprepared
• Visit our Safety Action Center for balloon safety graphics and more safety tips: https://www.safetyactioncenter.pge.com/articles/44-celebrate-safely

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210527005926/en/

FAQ

What safety risks do helium-filled metallic balloons pose according to PG&E?

PG&E warns that unsecured helium-filled metallic balloons can float away and contact overhead power lines, causing power outages.

How many power outages have balloon incidents caused in PG&E's service area this year?

In the first four months of 2021, balloon incidents caused nearly 175 power outages.

What was the percentage increase in balloon-related outages compared to last year?

There was a 75% increase in balloon-related outages in the first four months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

What safety tips does PG&E recommend for using metallic balloons?

PG&E advises securing metallic balloons with weights, keeping them indoors, and never releasing them outside.

How can balloon-related outages affect critical facilities?

Balloon-related power outages can disrupt electric service to critical facilities such as hospitals, schools, and traffic lights.