With balloons an ever-popular Valentine’s Day gift, PG&E is reminding the public about the trouble Mylar balloons can cause when they drift into overhead power lines.
The utility advises weighing down metallic balloons, avoiding bundling too many balloons together, and keeping them indoors.
Last year, PG&E officials said, wayward metallic balloons caused nearly 300 outages, which affected more than 150,000 customers throughout Northern and Central California.
If a balloon escapes and gets caught in a power line, PG&E advises people to leave it alone and call for help.
To report a balloon in a power line or any other problem, Bay Area residents can call (800) 743-5000.
Sasha Lekach, Bay City News
Want more news, sent to your inbox every day? Then how about subscribing to our email newsletter? Here’s why we think you should. Come on, give it a try.
