Cherry Hill Now:
Impact Of Valentine’s Day Balloons

February 14, 2019

A Valentine Day Balloon may look beautiful on the desk in your office or on the dining room table.  But, some balloons have been known to cause negative consequences when released into the air.

“How much damage can a cute, Valentine’s Day balloon cause?,” a news release from Atlantic City Electric asked.  “More than you would think.”

“Foil coating found on those shiny balloons you see on Valentine’s Day, can cause power outages and have a negative impact on the environment if not disposed of properly,” according to the statement from the electric utility that serves parts of Camden County.  “When a balloon or other foil-coated product contacts power lines or electrical equipment, its metallic properties can cause a surge of electricity that disrupts power and damages equipment.  In fact, untethered balloons cause hundreds of unnecessary service interruptions for our customers each year.”

The utility has some suggestions for these specific types of balloons.

“If your Valentine’s Day involves a shiny foil balloon, or two, here are some tips to follow:

• Always keep balloons tethered and attached to weights.

• Properly dispose of foil-coated balloons by puncturing them to release helium that otherwise could cause them to float away.

• If your grip does happen to slip, NEVER touch a power line or attempt to retrieve a balloon that is entangled in an overhead power line.  For assistance, call us at 1-800-833-74769.”

Credits:

The second photograph is provided courtesy of Atlantic City Electric.