Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Electric company: Keep a grip on foil balloons
Stray balloons can cause power outages
With Valentine’s Day approaching during the coronavirus pandemic, heartshaped foil balloons may be the perfect surprise for drive-by celebrations for your loved ones.
But, if planning to fly balloons outside, Met-Ed requests to make sure they do not drift away and get tangled in utility wires.
“Many people don’t realize the metallic coating that makes the balloons shiny and flashy is a natural electrical conductor,” said Todd Meyers, Met-Ed spokesman. “Fly-away foil balloons can contact electrical equipment, causing damage and power outages. That’s no way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.”
Met-Ed serves 147,547 customers in Berks County.
The electric company reports 58 outages caused by stray balloons in the last three years in Met-Ed’s coverage area, which includes Berks, Montgomery and Lebanon counties.
In Berks, balloons from a family celebration got tangled in the power lines in northwest Reading on Aug. 8, causing a six-hour power outage.
The electricity was out for 1,600 customers from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Meyers said it takes longer for repairs for metallic balloons than for tree branches.
February, with Valentine’s Day, is typically the month when there is a dramatic increase of outages caused by the balloons, Met-Ed said.
Balloon safety is part of First Energy’s new Stop. Look. Live safety campaign to educate the public about staying safe around electricity and near power lines and equipment.