Hold on to that Balloon!

PSEG Long Island cautions that metallic balloons can be hazardous

(UNIONDALE, N.Y. – June 9, 2021) – Graduations, weddings, Father’s Day and religious occasions – the next few months are filled with special events that are often celebrated with Mylar balloons. PSEG Long Island is reminding customers that balloons released into the air can become entangled in overhead electric equipment and cause a host of problems.

“Safety is PSEG Long Island’s No. 1 priority. That’s why we’re cautioning customers to please hold onto their metallic balloons,” said John O’Connell, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Transmission and Distribution Operations. “Though they’re festive, fun and look nice, we want the public to be aware that metallic balloons also conduct electricity. If they get loose and come into contact with a power line or other electrical equipment, that could lead to power outages, fire and, possibly, injuries.”

To mitigate these risks, PSEG Long Island encourages the public to follow these safety guidelines:

• Metallic balloons and other decorations should be kept clear of overhead power lines and equipment, and never purposely released into the air.
• All balloons with helium should be secured to weights that prevent them from floating away.
• To properly dispose of a Mylar balloon, safely puncture it in several places to release the helium, and discard it in the trash.
• NEVER touch a power line. Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon, toy or anything caught in an overhead power line. Report it by contacting PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0075 so a specially trained crew can safely address the issue.

To see a video of metallic balloons coming into contact with electrical wires, click here.

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PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.