AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 8, 2024 — With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, FirstEnergy Corp. is urging customers to handle helium-filled foil balloons safely to prevent power outages. The metallic coating on these balloons conducts electricity and poses a risk to the electric system, causing disruptions in power supply.
Foil balloons have been the cause of numerous outages in the past. Last year alone, they were responsible for 108 power outages across FirstEnergy’s service area. As a result, the company is taking steps to educate the public on the hazards associated with these balloons and how to ensure the lights stay on in our local communities.
“The National Retail Foundation is predicting record spending on significant others this Valentine’s Day, and that includes balloon purchases,” says Lisa Rouse, Director of Distribution System Operations at FirstEnergy. “While our community outreach has helped decrease balloon-related outages in recent years, this holiday provides an opportunity to educate people of all ages on the dangers foil balloons pose.”
To prevent outages and celebrate responsibly, FirstEnergy offers the following safety tips:
– Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.
– Securely tie helium-filled metallic balloons to a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Do not remove the weight until the balloons are deflated.
– Puncture and deflate metallic balloons once they are no longer in use. Never release them into the sky.
– In the event that a balloon, kite, or toy becomes caught in a power line, do not attempt to retrieve it. Leave it alone and immediately call FirstEnergy to report the problem.
– Always stay far away from a downed or low-hanging power line. Treat all downed lines as energized and dangerous, and report them to the authorities.
FirstEnergy emphasizes its dedication to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. The company’s electric distribution companies serve more than six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. They operate one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, with transmission subsidiaries that span approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines.
For more information on the hazards of foil balloons and tips for safe handling, a video is available on FirstEnergy’s YouTube channel. Stay updated with FirstEnergy by visiting their website at firstenergycorp.com or following them on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.
Contact:
Hannah Catlett
Media Relations
Phone: (440) 554-5346
