Celebrate Valentine's Day Safely with Balloons
FirstEnergy emphasizes safe balloon practices to ensure safety and power reliability.
As Valentine's Day draws near, FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is urging everyone to handle helium-filled foil balloons with care. These metallic balloons can conduct electricity, posing risks when they escape into the open air. They are known to cause outages by getting tangled in power lines or other electrical infrastructure.
Understanding the Risks of Foil Balloons
Despite efforts to promote safety, foil balloon-related outages tend to increase in February, coinciding with the peak balloon-buying season for Valentine's celebrations. In the past year, these balloons contributed to 96 power outages across the FirstEnergy service area. Let's break down the outages by some of the service providers:
- The Illuminating Company encountered 9 balloon-related outages.
- Ohio Edison reported 16 outages.
- Toledo Edison had 7 outages.
- Met-Ed faced 12 outages.
- Penelec experienced 9 outages.
- Penn Power dealt with 4 outages.
- West Penn Power reported 5 outages.
- Mon Power had 5 outages.
- Potomac Edison recorded 5 outages.
- JCP&L was impacted the most, with 24 balloon-related outages.
There is some positive news, however. Thanks to heightened awareness and safer practices, the number of balloon-related outages has decreased from 132 in 2020 to 96 in the past year, which signifies a 27% reduction.
Expert Insights on Balloon Safety
Chad Stoneking, Director of Safety Operations at FirstEnergy, offers an important reminder about the joys and risks associated with balloon use on Valentine’s Day. He states, "Valentine's Day is one of the biggest balloon-buying occasions. While balloons add fun to celebrations, they can cause serious issues if not secured properly. Our community outreach efforts have lowered the number of related outages, but it's essential to keep reminders in place to ensure safety during this festive time.”
Best Practices for Balloon Handling
To ensure a joyful and safe celebration this Valentine’s Day, follow these tips for handling balloons responsibly:
- Always keep metallic balloons away from overhead electric lines.
- Securely tie helium-filled metallic balloons to a heavy weight to prevent them from drifting away. Retain the weight until the balloons are fully deflated.
- Puncture and deflate metallic balloons when done using them; never release them outdoors.
- If you see balloons or kites caught in power lines or other electrical equipment, do not attempt to retrieve them. Call FirstEnergy at 888-544-4877 immediately.
- Keep a safe distance from downed or low-hanging power lines; always assume they are energized and report them promptly by calling 911.
Resources for Further Information
For additional resources on the hazards linked to foil balloons and how to dispose of them safely, check out FirstEnergy's informational video available on their official platform.
FirstEnergy is committed to integrity, safety, reliability, and excellence in operations. They represent one of the country’s largest investor-owned electric systems, catering to over six million customers across multiple states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The company operates roughly 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, emphasizing their dedication to reliable service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What precautions should be taken with helium balloons?
Ensure to securely tie balloons to weights and keep them away from power lines.
How can metallic balloons affect power outages?
Metallic balloons can conduct electricity; if they hit power lines, they can cause outages.
What should I do if I see a balloon caught in a power line?
Do not attempt to retrieve it. Instead, contact FirstEnergy immediately for assistance.
How many balloon-related outages occurred last year?
Last year, FirstEnergy experienced 96 outages due to foil balloons.
What measures has FirstEnergy taken to reduce balloon-related incidents?
Public awareness campaigns and community outreach have helped decrease balloon-related outages significantly.
