Foil balloons, fireworks and power lines
don't mix
AKRON,
Ohio, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the
Fourth of July fast approaching and the summer months upon us,
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is reminding the public to be cautious
of potential electrical hazards associated with popular outdoor
activities. Celebrating responsibly will help keep customers safe
and the electricity flowing reliably this season.
"As we prepare for parades, barbeques and outdoor fun, we
encourage everyone to keep electrical safety top of mind to ensure
a safe holiday and summer season," said Chad Stoneking, director of Safety Operations at
FirstEnergy. "Enjoying the season responsibly can also help prevent
unnecessary disruptions to your electric service during a time when
many people rely on their air conditioning to stay cool and
comfortable."
Foil balloons and fireworks are two of the most common and
festive ways to celebrate Independence Day. However, they can
create safety issues and cause major damage to the electric system
when they are used near power lines and electrical equipment.
While foil balloons have increased in popularity as holiday and
party decorations, they continue to cause many power outages
because their metallic coating conducts electricity when they drift
into power lines or electrical equipment. February typically marks
the onset of a dramatic increase in outages caused by adrift
metallic balloons that peaks in June or July, when warm weather
takes celebrations and picnics outdoors. Over recent months, foil
balloons were to blame for nearly 60 power outages across
FirstEnergy's six-state service area.
Customers should securely tie helium-filled foil balloons to a
weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away, and
then puncture and deflate them once they are no longer in use
because they can stay inflated for several weeks. Never release
them into the sky.
FirstEnergy also encourages customers to leave the large,
colorful fireworks displays to the professionals. Extra caution
should be used when handling fireworks, firecrackers and rockets at
home, and they should only be lit in open areas where no power
lines are in sight. Should a firework accidentally come in contact
with a power line or equipment, leave it alone and immediately call
911 to report the problem.
To help ensure holidays and celebrations are enjoyed
responsibly, customers should keep the following outdoor safety
tips in mind:
- Never fly kites, motorized airplanes or drones near power
lines. While kites almost always use cotton string, wet cotton
string can conduct electricity as well as metal string.
- Never attempt to retrieve any type of object that gets caught
in a power line or drifts or crashes into a substation. Leave it
alone and immediately call FirstEnergy at 888-544-4877 to report
the problem.
- Keep electrical devices and cords at least 10-feet away from
water sources such as pools and spas. When possible, use
battery-operated electrical devices outside.
- All outdoor receptacles should be covered to keep them dry.
This is especially important around pools, spas and other summer
water activities.
- When hauling a boat, make sure it clears overhead power lines
and stay away from power lines when sailing.
- Never climb a tree that is growing near or into overhead lines
or near a utility pole. Also, never climb utility poles or other
infrastructure, in particular transmission towers or substation
fences. These activities are extremely hazardous and can result in
very severe injuries.
- Stay far away from a downed or low-hanging power line. Always
assume any downed wires are energized and dangerous. Report them
ASAP by calling 911.
Visit www.firstenergycorp.com/publicsafety to learn about
FirstEnergy's "Stop. Look. Live." safety campaign to educate the
public about staying safe around electricity and near power lines
and equipment.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving customers in Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Maryland and
New York. The company's
transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and
follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on Twitter
@FirstEnergyCorp, @OhioEdison, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo,
@W_Penn_Power, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @JCP_L,
@PotomacEdison, @MonPowerWV.
Editor's Note: A video discussing the hazards posed
by foil balloons and tips for safe disposal is available here on
FirstEnergy's YouTube channel. B-Roll can be found here.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.