Warm weather brings outdoor parties for graduations, birthdays and
weddings, but it also can lead to power outages when Mylar balloons from
those festivities come into contact with power lines. Over a weekend in
May, four Mylar balloons drifted into overhead electrical lines and
caused power outages affecting approximately 6,000 customers.
When a Mylar balloon contacts a power line or a part of substation
equipment, its metallic properties can cause a surge of electricity that
can, in turn, cause the equipment to short-circuit. And the spark could
lead to a power outage or fire.
ComEd encourages customers to help reduce Mylar balloon-related power
outages and ensure safety by keeping the following tips in mind:
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Keep balloons tethered at all times and attached to weights.
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Properly dispose of Mylar balloons by puncturing the balloon to
release helium that otherwise could cause the balloon to float away.
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NEVER touch a power line. Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon or toy
that is entangled in an overhead power line. For assistance, call
ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (800-334-7661).
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Always assume power lines are live and keep yourself, your belongings
and anything you are carrying at least 10 feet away from power lines.
ComEd customers can learn about more safety tips for the season by
visiting ComEd.com.
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon
Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy
provider, with approximately 6.6 million customers. ComEd provides
service to approximately 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois,
or 70 percent of the state’s population
Copyright Business Wire 2014