Balloons and other items that contact electric lines can cause injuries and power outages

BALTIMORE (May 21, 2015) – With the end of the school year quickly approaching, many will celebrate the accomplishments of recent graduates with outdoor festivities. And, with warmer weather upon us, it’s also the time when customers begin to hold other events outdoors. BGE reminds customers that these events can be dangerous and lead to power outages if Mylar balloons become loose and come into contact with overhead power lines.

When a Mylar balloon contacts a power line or a piece of electric equipment, its metallic material can cause a surge of electricity that can lead to power outages and other potentially dangerous situations. To ensure a safe and fun-filled celebration, customers should keep the following safety tips in mind: 

• Always assume power lines are energized and keep yourself, your belongings and anything you are carrying at least 10 feet away from power lines. 
• Mylar balloons and other decorations should be kept away from overhead power lines and all utility equipment. These objects can become entangled in lines and cause a power outage and injury. 
• Keep balloons tethered and attached to weights at all times. 
• Always properly dispose of Mylar balloons, safely puncturing the balloon to release the helium that otherwise could cause the balloon to float away. 
• NEVER touch a power line. Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon, toy or other type of debris that is entangled in an overhead power line. For assistance, call BGE to report the problem at 1-800- 685-0123 so our crews can remove the item safely.

To learn more about safety around power lines, visit bge.com.

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BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2014 revenues of approximately $27.4 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.