Health & Fitness
Valentine’s Day Safety: Keep Mylar Balloons Away from Power Lines
Mylar balloons can make great Valentine's Day gifts, if they're kept indoors or securely tied down, but they can also pose a safety hazard.
Mylar balloons can make great Valentine’s Day gifts, if they’re kept indoors or securely tied down, but they can also pose a safety hazard. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is urging customers to be aware of the dangers that can arise when Mylar balloons touch power lines.
The metallic coating on Mylar balloons is an excellent conductor of electricity. If a Mylar balloon touches a power line, it could cause a power outage in your neighborhood, and even an electrical fire.
SDG&E reminds all San Diegans:
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- Keep Mylar balloons indoors.
- If you see a Mylar balloon at an outdoor gathering, make sure that it is securely tied down or attached to a weight.
- When disposing of a Mylar balloon, make sure to puncture it in several places. Partially-inflated Mylar balloons can easily become airborne.
- If a Mylar balloon, kite or any object becomes entangled in an overhead power line, call 9-1-1 or SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343. Do not try to remove it yourself.
For more information on safety, please visit SDG&E’s website at www.sdge.com/safety or call 1-800-411-SDGE (7343).
