AZ League Connection

The League's Monthly Online Newsletter

Issue 178: February 2018

Mylar Balloons Can Cause Power Outages: Residents Reminded to Hold Tightly to Balloons During Celebrations

By Wayne Wisdom, SRP Senior Director Grid Services and Amy J. McConnell, Mesa Transportation and Energy Public Information Officer

You see them at birthday parties, and you may buy them to liven up your office celebrations; but SRP wants to remind the residents of all Arizona cities and towns to securely hold or tether shiny bouquets of Mylar balloons because they can leave your residents in the dark.

"The metallic material, which gives Mylar balloons the attractive shine, also makes them energy conductors," said Wayne Wisdom, SRP senior director of Distribution Grid Services. "When they touch a power line or equipment at a substation, Mylar balloons can cause a surge in electricity, which can lead to a short circuit."

Annually, flyaway Mylar balloons cause up to 80 power outages in SRP's service territory, which can impact tens of thousands of customers. They can also cause fires, damage property or people can be injured. But it's not just SRP's area that is affected; all utility providers, including municipal utilities face the same problem. The City of Mesa Energy Resources faces similar Mylar balloon issues especially around graduation season.

"Providing reliable power for our customers is paramount. It's important that people know these types of outages are easily avoidable," said City of Mesa Energy Resources Director Frank McRae. "We also remind our customers to never attempt to retrieve a balloon from an overhead power line or touch them."

There are some tips you can share with your residents to prevent Mylar balloon outages:

  • Keep a tight grip at all times
  • Don't celebrate by releasing balloons after graduations, weddings or momentous events
  • Tether tightly and attach to a weight
  • Use regular string or ribbon, not slippery Mylar string
  • Completely deflate helium before disposing of Mylar balloons.

For safety, people, equipment and all belongings should remain at least 10 feet away from power lines if you see an issue. Highly trained crews will arrive to safely remove the debris. For more information and for resources in your area to report an outage you can contact:

APS Service Area:
Residential: 855-688-2437 (855-OUTAGES)
Business: 602-371-6767 (Phoenix area)
800-253-9407 (other areas) - open M-F 7:30-5 p.m.

City of Mesa Service Area:
Utility customers should call 480-644-2266.

SRP Service Area:
Residential Customer Services at (602) 236-8888

SRP Customers can also download SRP Mobile App for smart phones and tablets. To download for no charge, visit the App Store or Google Play and search using the keywords "SRP Power."

Tucson Electric Power & UniSource Energy Services Service Area:
TEP Customer Care at 520-623-7711, press option #8

 

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