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Metallic Balloon Hazards Graduate Too — From Bad to Worse

SCE urges celebrators to help prevent a dramatic spike in power outages during spring graduations by never releasing the colorful gifts outdoors.
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Stories : Safety
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Can You Dig It? Yes, but Only After Calling 811

Can You Dig It? Yes, but Only After Calling 811

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G22-051 Metallic Balloon Safety Infographic

Can You Dig It? Yes, but Only After Calling 811

Can You Dig It? Yes, but Only After Calling 811

Out of sight, out of mind. The familiar idiom might ring harmlessly true for many situations, but safe digging isn’t one of them. Not with the country’s more than 200 million miles of underground utilities, according to Call 811, and especially not with the estimated 12 million homeowners nationwide planning digging projects this year...
View Story
What Are Those Balls That Hang on Power Lines?

What Are Those Balls That Hang on Power Lines?

Have you ever seen those big yellow, orange, white or red balls hanging from power lines? Well, those balls are visibility markers.
View Story
How to Choose: Surge Protector vs. Power Strip

How to Choose: Surge Protector vs. Power Strip

Do you know the difference between a surge protector and a power strip? Surge protectors and power strips both allow you to plug in several appliances into one location, but it’s...
View Story
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    Stories : Safety
    Download Photos Download All
    ESPAÑOL 한국어 中文 TIẾNG VIỆT

    Metallic Balloon Hazards Graduate Too — From Bad to Worse

    SCE urges celebrators to help prevent a dramatic spike in power outages during spring graduations by never releasing the colorful gifts outdoors.
    Paul Netter
    Paul Netter
    Energized by Edison Writer
    @SCE_PaulN
    Contributors
    Infographic: Lawrence Tsuei
    Published on May 18, 2022
    Subscribe

    The graduation was ending, but the problems, well, they were only beginning.

    Mere minutes after the final diploma was handed out at Thousand Oaks High School on a June evening in 2019, a metallic balloon released by an attendee floated into nearby power lines — causing a small explosion. It knocked out power to 3,683 homes and businesses and required police to help those leaving the graduation navigate around repair crews.

    Fortunately, no one was injured considering the public safety hazards the incident created. Southern California Edison experiences thousands of balloon-caused outages annually — including 1,103 last year. There’s no time worse than during the spring graduation months, with nearly one-third of the outages occurring in May (150) and June (181). As graduation season arrives with more people attending in person, SCE urges those celebrating with metallic balloons never to release them outdoors and always keep them tied to a weight as the state law requires.

    “Think about that. In May and June, that’s almost six balloon outages a day,” said Adam Dow, principal manager of Operational Risk Management & Public Safety at SCE. “The safest metallic balloons are tied to a weight or kept indoors, especially during graduation season. These are very preventable outages, and released metallic balloons create unnecessary risks.”

    Southern California Edison experienced more than 1,100 balloon-caused outages last year, with nearly a third of them ocurring in May and June.
    Southern California Edison experienced more than 1,100 balloon-caused outages last year, with nearly a third of them occurring in May and June.

    The most significant risk comes when balloons float into electrical equipment and create startling explosions, especially when they bring down power lines — which happened during the Thousand Oaks graduation incident and on 112 occasions last year.

    Wire-down situations can potentially lead to severe injuries and even death, as well as fires and property damage. SCE reminds its customers to stay away and call 911 if they ever see downed lines.

    However, the most prolific problem caused by released metallic balloons is the disruptive power outages that cost customers 480.6 hours of lost power last year. And, in the graduation incident left about 585 customers without power for nearly 11 hours because of extensive restoration work.

    It was revealing for Lori Lyche, a mother attending her daughter’s graduation, who told the Thousand Oaks Acorn, “It happened, and then it was over … I was just surprised a balloon could do that.”

    Except it wasn’t over. The explosion was followed by hours of inconvenience to customers, thousands of dollars in repairs and, most worrisome, a public safety threat.

    “Metallic balloons look harmless but are dangerous when released outside,” Dow said. “Safety and keeping the lights on are our highest priorities, and we urge our customers to be responsible by, intentionally or unintentionally, never releasing metallic balloons outdoors.”

    Metallic Balloon Safety Tips

    • Never release metallic balloons outdoors.

    • Always tie a metallic balloon to a sturdy table or weight.

    • Keep the balloons indoors when possible.

    • Never try to retrieve balloons tangled in electrical equipment. Call 911 instead.

    • Puncture balloons before disposing of them.

    Tags: metallic balloons, safety, graduations
    G22-051 Metallic Balloon Safety Infographic

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