Mylar Balloons Can Be Dangerous, and Short-Circuit Power Lines

Mylar balloons though festive are dangerous around power lines. Their silvery metallic coating is a conductor of electricity. When mylar balloons float into the air and make contact with power lines, they can short transformers, cause power outages, melt an electrical wire and cause it to fall. They can even spark an electrical surge that could potentially destroy home electronics.

In fact, one of the most common causes of power outages in Los Angeles is mylar balloons coming into contact with power lines, causing more than 150 electrical service interruptions a year. Careless handling of these balloons can potentially cause injury to LADWP customers and to employees working on equipment. It only takes one balloon to cause a power outage or cause a power line to break.

Tips for Handling Mylar Balloons safely

• Always attach a weight to mylar balloons

• Never release a mylar balloon outdoors

• Keep mylar balloons away from power lines

• Never use metallic ribbon with mylar balloons

• Always deflate mylar balloons and dispose of them properly

How To Respond

If you see a mylar balloon contact a power line, keep yourself, your equipment and all other items and people at least 10 feet away. Do not attempt to climb the pole or make any other attempt to retrieve the object. Call the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at 1-800-DIAL DWP. Always assume the power lines are energized.

Balloon Vendors

California law requires all mylar balloons - single or in “bouquets” to be anchored with a weight to prevent floating up into power lines. The law also prohibits metallic ribbon from being attached to helium-filled balloons. Florists and other merchants should always make certain that mylar balloons are properly weighted, and should remind their customers not to release them outdoors.

Celebrate safely and help protect power reliability in Los Angeles by keeping mylar balloons away from power lines!