PG&E to Customers: Stay Safe, Secure Valentine's Day Balloons with a Weight
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG, PCG.PRA) reported a 27% increase in balloon-related outages in 2021, totaling over 600 incidents. This marks the highest number of outages in a decade, which can disrupt electric service and pose safety risks. As Valentine's Day approaches, PG&E advises customers to securely tie metallic balloons and avoid releasing them outdoors to prevent these outages. The cities most affected include San Jose, Fresno, Bakersfield, Oakland, Richmond, and Stockton.
- None.
- 27% increase in balloon-related outages in 2021, totaling over 600 incidents.
- Highest number of balloon-related outages in a decade.
- Potential disruption of electric service to critical facilities like hospitals.
Balloon-caused outages increased 27 percent in 2021
In 2021, metallic balloons that drifted into
“Balloons are a fun way to liven up holiday celebrations, but if they aren’t tied down with a weight, it’s easy for them to float into overhead power lines and disrupt service to entire communities. Keep your holidays safe by ensuring metallic balloons are secured by a weight,” said
The top six cities in
In order to significantly reduce the number of balloon-caused outages and to help ensure that everyone can safely enjoy Valentine’s Day,
- “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.
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Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite, drone or toy that becomes caught in a power line. Trying to retrieve it yourself is extremely dangerous. Leave it alone, and immediately call
PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem. - Celebrate special occasions safely by ensuring that metallic balloons are secured with a heavyweight and never releasing them outdoors. You can learn more of these safety tips at safetyactioncenter.pge.com
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