OAKLAND,
Calif., Feb. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With
Valentine's Day fast approaching, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(PG&E) reminds customers that sparks – and not just the
romantic kind – can fly on February
14 if improperly secured helium-filled metallic balloons
come in contact with power lines.
Metallic balloons conduct electricity and if they float into
powerlines, they can disrupt electric service to an entire
neighborhood, cause significant property damage and potentially
result in serious injuries. Here's an example of what can happen
when metallic balloons become loose and hit power lines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jzefJfBbNA
In 2023, metallic balloons striking electric lines caused 332
power outages in PG&E's service area, knocking out power to
more than 157,000 homes and business. On average, each customer
outage caused by a balloon lasted about 83 minutes.
"Balloons are a fun way to liven up Valentine's celebrations,
but if they aren't tied down with a weight, it's easy for them to
float into overhead power lines and disrupt service to entire
communities. Keep your holidays and hometowns safe by ensuring
metallic balloons are secured by a weight," said Ron Richardson, Vice President of Electric
Distribution Operations at PG&E.
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 possible, keep metallic balloons indoors. Never permit
metallic balloons to be released outside, for everyone's
safety.
- Do not bundle metallic balloons together.
- Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that
becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and immediately
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 far away, keep others away
and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.
Other tips can be found at pge.com/beprepared
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric utilities in the United
States. Based in San
Francisco, with more than 24,000 employees, the company
delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to nearly 16 million
people in Northern and Central
California. For more information, visit
www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.
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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company