Energy company: Use caution with fireworks, foil balloons
With the first day of summer fast approaching, FirstEnergy is reminding residents to be cautious of potential electrical hazards associated with popular outdoor activities.
Foil balloons and fireworks are two of the most common and festive ways to celebrate summer events, including graduation parties, weddings and Independence Day. However, they can create safety issues and cause major damage to the electric system when they are used near power lines and electrical equipment, the company said.
While foil balloons have increased in popularity as holiday and party decorations, they continue to cause many power outages because their metallic coating conducts electricity when they drift into power lines or electrical equipment. February typically marks the onset of a dramatic increase in outages caused by adrift metallic balloons that peaks in June or July, when warm weather takes celebrations and picnics outdoors, according to company officials. Over recent months, foil balloons were to blame for more than 60 power outages across FirstEnergy’s six-state service area.
With the first day of summer fast approaching, FirstEnergy is reminding residents to be cautious of potential electrical hazards associated with popular outdoor activities.
Foil balloons and fireworks are two of the most common and festive ways to celebrate summer events, including graduation parties, weddings and Independence Day. However, they can create safety issues and cause major damage to the electric system when they are used near power lines and electrical equipment, the company said.
While foil balloons have increased in popularity as holiday and party decorations, they continue to cause many power outages because their metallic coating conducts electricity when they drift into power lines or electrical equipment. February typically marks the onset of a dramatic increase in outages caused by adrift metallic balloons that peaks in June or July, when warm weather takes celebrations and picnics outdoors, according to company officials. Over recent months, foil balloons were to blame for more than 60 power outages across FirstEnergy’s six-state service area.
FirstEnergy also encourages customers to leave the large, colorful fireworks displays to the professionals. Extra caution should be used when handling fireworks, firecrackers and rockets at home, and they should only be lit in open areas where no power lines are in sight. Should a firework accidentally come in contact with a power line or equipment, leave it alone and immediately call 911 to report the problem, the company said.
To help ensure holidays and summer celebrations are enjoyed responsibly, people should keep the following outdoor safety tips in mind:
- Never fly kites, motorized airplanes or drones near power lines. While kites almost always use cotton string, wet cotton string, as well as metal string, can conduct electricity.
- Never attempt to retrieve any type of object that gets caught in a power line or drifts or crashes into a substation. Leave it alone and immediately call FirstEnergy at 888-544-4877 to report the problem.
- Keep electrical devices and cords at least 10-feet away from water sources such as pools and spas. When possible, use battery-operated electrical devices outside.
- All outdoor receptacles should be covered to keep them dry. This is especially important around pools, spas and other summer water activities.
- When hauling a boat, make sure it clears overhead power lines and stay away from power lines when sailing.
- Never climb a tree that is growing near or into overhead lines or near a utility pole. Also, never climb utility poles or other infrastructure, in particular transmission towers or substation fences. These activities are extremely hazardous and can result in very severe injuries.
- Stay far away from a downed or low-hanging power line. Always assume any downed wires are energized and dangerous. Report them immediately by calling 911.
