PG&E To Customers: On Valentine's Day, Let Hearts Soar, Not Metallic Balloons
PG&E warns customers about the dangers of metallic balloons during Valentine's Day, as they pose significant risks to power infrastructure. In 2024, metallic balloons caused 369 power outages across PG&E's service area in Northern and Central California, affecting over 230,000 homes and businesses.
The company emphasizes that metallic balloons can remain inflated for two to three weeks, creating prolonged hazards to power lines. To prevent outages and ensure safety, PG&E reminds customers that California law requires metallic balloons to be securely tied to weights and never released outdoors.
Key safety recommendations include using caution near overhead lines, securing balloons with appropriate weights, proper disposal by puncturing or cutting, and immediately reporting any balloon-related power line incidents to PG&E.
PG&E avvisa i clienti sui pericoli dei palloncini metallici durante il giorno di San Valentino, poiché rappresentano rischi significativi per le infrastrutture elettriche. Nel 2024, i palloncini metallici hanno causato 369 interruzioni di corrente nell'area di servizio di PG&E nel Nord e Centro della California, colpendo oltre 230.000 case e aziende.
L'azienda sottolinea che i palloncini metallici possono rimanere gonfi per due o tre settimane, creando pericoli prolungati per le linee elettriche. Per prevenire interruzioni e garantire la sicurezza, PG&E ricorda ai clienti che la legge californiana richiede che i palloncini metallici siano saldamente legati a pesi e non vengano mai rilasciati all'aperto.
Le principali raccomandazioni di sicurezza includono prestare attenzione vicino alle linee aeree, fissare i palloncini con pesi appropriati, smaltirli correttamente forandoli o tagliandoli, e segnalare immediatamente eventuali incidenti con le linee elettriche legati ai palloncini a PG&E.
PG&E advierte a los clientes sobre los peligros de los globos metálicos durante el Día de San Valentín, ya que representan riesgos significativos para la infraestructura eléctrica. En 2024, los globos metálicos causaron 369 cortes de energía en el área de servicio de PG&E en el norte y centro de California, afectando a más de 230,000 hogares y negocios.
La empresa enfatiza que los globos metálicos pueden mantenerse inflados de dos a tres semanas, creando peligros prolongados para las líneas eléctricas. Para prevenir cortes y asegurar la seguridad, PG&E recuerda a los clientes que la ley de California requiere que los globos metálicos estén atados de manera segura a pesos y nunca se suelten al aire libre.
Las recomendaciones clave de seguridad incluyen tener precaución cerca de las líneas aéreas, asegurar los globos con pesos adecuados, desecharlos correctamente perforándolos o cortándolos, y reportar de inmediato cualquier incidente relacionado con globos en las líneas eléctricas a PG&E.
PG&E는 발렌타인 데이에 금속 풍선의 위험성에 대해 고객에게 경고합니다. 금속 풍선은 전력 인프라에 심각한 위험을 초래할 수 있습니다. 2024년에는 금속 풍선이 PG&E의 서비스 지역인 북부 및 중앙 캘리포니아에서 369건의 정전을 일으켜, 230,000개 이상의 가정과 사업체에 영향을 미쳤습니다.
회사는 금속 풍선이 2주에서 3주 동안 부풀어 있을 수 있어 전선에 위험을 초래할 수 있다고 강조합니다. 정전 예방 및 안전 확보를 위해 PG&E는 캘리포니아 법률에 따라 금속 풍선은 반드시 적절한 무게에 안전하게 고정되어야 하며 외부로 방출해서는 안 된다고 고객에게 상기시킵니다.
주요 안전 권장 사항에는 공중선 근처에서 주의하고, 적절한 무게로 풍선을 고정하고, 바늘로 찔러내거나 자르는 올바른 방법으로 폐기하며, 금속 풍선과 관련된 전선 사고를 즉시 PG&E에 신고하는 것이 포함됩니다.
PG&E met en garde ses clients contre les dangers des ballons métalliques pendant la Saint-Valentin, car ils posent des risques importants pour les infrastructures électriques. En 2024, les ballons métalliques ont causé 369 coupures de courant dans la zone de service de PG&E dans le nord et le centre de la Californie, affectant plus de 230 000 foyers et entreprises.
L'entreprise souligne que les ballons métalliques peuvent rester gonflés pendant deux à trois semaines, créant des dangers prolongés pour les lignes électriques. Pour éviter les coupures et garantir la sécurité, PG&E rappelle aux clients que la loi californienne exige que les ballons métalliques soient solidement attachés à des poids et ne doivent jamais être relâchés à l'extérieur.
Les principales recommandations de sécurité incluent de faire preuve de prudence près des lignes aériennes, de sécuriser les ballons avec des poids appropriés, de les éliminer correctement en les perforant ou en les coupant, et de signaler immédiatement tout incident lié aux ballons aux lignes électriques à PG&E.
PG&E warnt die Kunden vor den Gefahren von metallischen Ballons während des Valentinstags, da sie erhebliche Risiken für die Strominfrastruktur darstellen. Im Jahr 2024 verursachten metallische Ballons 369 Stromausfälle im Versorgungsgebiet von PG&E in Nord- und Zentral-Kalifornien, was über 230.000 Haushalte und Unternehmen betraf.
Das Unternehmen betont, dass metallische Ballons zwei bis drei Wochen lang aufgeblasen bleiben können, was anhaltende Gefahren für Stromleitungen schafft. Um Ausfälle zu verhindern und die Sicherheit zu gewährleisten, erinnert PG&E die Kunden daran, dass das kalifornische Gesetz verlangt, dass metallische Ballons sicher an Gewichten befestigt werden und niemals im Freien freigelassen werden dürfen.
Wichtige Sicherheitsempfehlungen umfassen Vorsicht in der Nähe von Freileitungen, das Sichern der Ballons mit geeigneten Gewichten, die ordnungsgemäße Entsorgung durch Stechen oder Schneiden, sowie die sofortige Meldung von Vorfällen mit Ballons an PG&E.
- None.
- 369 power outages caused by metallic balloons in 2024
- Service disruption affecting over 230,000 customers
- Potential infrastructure damage and safety risks
Roses are Red, Chocolate is Sweet.
Don't Let Wayward Balloons Cause an Outage on Your Street
In 2024, metallic balloons caused 369 power outages across PG&E's service area in Northern and Central California, disrupting electric service to more than 230,000 homes and businesses. Unlike latex helium balloons, metallic balloons can stay inflated and floating for two to three weeks – posing a hazard to power lines and equipment even days after being released outside.
"On Valentine's Day, nothing puts a damper on a romantic evening faster than a widespread power outage. If your February 14 plans include metallic balloons, please keep them tied down with a weight. If they contact our overhead lines they can disrupt electric service to an entire neighborhood, cause significant property damage and potentially result in serious injuries," said Ron Richardson, PG&E's Vice President of Electric Distribution Operations.
Here's an example of what can happen when metallic balloons hit utility power lines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqFm52C1n5Q
In order to significantly reduce the number of balloon-caused outages and to help ensure that everyone can safely enjoy their Valentine's Day, 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 done with balloons, do not release them. Puncture them several times or cut the knot and throw them in the garbage to prevent them from floating away.
- Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon — or any foreign object — tangled in power lines or inside a substation. There can be risk of electrocution. Instead, leave it alone and 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 away, keep others away and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.
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
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pge-to-customers-on-valentines-day-let-hearts-soar-not-metallic-balloons-302372589.html
SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
FAQ
How many power outages did metallic balloons cause for PG&E (PCG) in 2024?
How many PG&E (PCG) customers were affected by balloon-related outages in 2024?
How long can metallic balloons remain a hazard to PG&E (PCG) power lines?
What are PG&E's (PCG) safety requirements for metallic balloons under California law?
