FirstEnergy reminds customers to be careful
with helium-filled balloons
AKRON,
Ohio, Feb. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As
Valentine's Day approaches, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is
reminding customers to handle helium-filled foil balloons safely to
keep power flowing this season and year-round. Foil balloons cause
power outages when released outdoors because their metallic coating
conducts electricity and poses a risk to the electric system.
A video discussing the hazards posed by foil balloons is
available on FirstEnergy's YouTube channel and media can
download soundbites on Dropbox.
February typically marks the onset of an increase in outages
caused by metallic balloons, as they float off from Valentine's Day
gifts. Last year, foil balloons were to blame for 109 power outages
across FirstEnergy's service area:
- The Illuminating Company – 13 balloon-related outages
- Ohio Edison – 18 balloon-related outages
- Toledo Edison – 9 balloon-related outages
- Met-Ed – 18 balloon-related outages
- Penelec – 8 balloon-related outages
- Penn Power – 1 balloon-related outage
- West Penn Power – 12 balloon-related outages
- Mon Power – 3 balloon-related outages
- Potomac Edison – 5 balloon-related outages
- JCP&L – 22 balloon-related outages
Lisa Rouse, Director of
Distribution System Operations at FirstEnergy: "While our
community outreach has helped reduce balloon-related outages from
previous years, people of all ages can help keep the lights on in
our local communities by understanding the steps to take to
eliminate the dangers posed by foil balloons."
To help ensure holidays and celebrations are enjoyed
responsibly, it is important to keep these safety tips in mind:
- Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near
overhead electric lines.
- Securely tie helium-filled metallic balloons to a weight that
is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Do not remove
the weight until the balloons are deflated.
- Puncture and deflate metallic balloons once they are no longer
in use. Never release them into the sky.
- Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that
becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone and immediately call
FirstEnergy at 888-544-4877 to report the problem.
- Stay far away from a downed or low-hanging power line. Always
assume downed lines are energized and dangerous. Report them ASAP
by calling 911.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, West Virginia,
Maryland and New York. The company's transmission
subsidiaries operate more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines
that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow
FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on X
@FirstEnergyCorp.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
