US EditionPG&E to Graduates: Toss Caps in the Air, Not Metallic Balloons
- In the first half of 2025, over 130 power outages in Northern and Central California were attributed to metallic balloons coming into contact with electrical lines, according to the utility provider serving the region.
- This surge results from graduation season when helium-filled metallic balloons often float away and touch overhead lines, posing public safety risks.
- PG&E explains that the silvery coating on metallic balloons conducts electricity, causing shorts that disrupt power to critical facilities like hospitals, schools, and traffic lights.
- The outages impacted over 54,000 customers and prompted PG&E Vice President Ron Richardson to remind graduates to secure their metallic balloons with weights to prevent safety hazards.
- PG&E urges securing balloons with weights, keeping them indoors when possible, and never releasing or attempting to retrieve balloons near power lines to prevent outages and safety hazards.
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PG&E to Graduates: Toss Caps in the Air, Not Metallic Balloons - PressReach
Celebrate Safely During Graduation Season; Keep Metallic Balloons Weighted Down OAKLAND, Calif., May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — With graduation season in full swing, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is warning customers about the public safety risks associated with helium-filled metallic balloons: If your graduation celebration involves balloons, make sure they are secured with a weight. Otherwise, they can float away and come into contact w…
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