Don’t Foil the Fun: Delmarva Power Shares Tips on Keeping Balloons Away from Power Lines
So far this year, 235 customers have experienced an outage caused by Mylar balloons
NEWARK, DE
It’s graduation season which means many are celebrating, often with Mylar balloons. Delmarva Power reminds customers of the negative impact that Mylar balloons, also known as foil balloons, can have on the electric grid and environment.
Foil balloons are made with a metallic coated shell and when they are released and contact a power line, significant damage can occur leading to unnecessary power outages. From 2015 through 2024, there were 123 separate outage events in which nearly 22,000 Delmarva Power customers experienced an outage due to a Mylar balloon contacting electric infrastructure. Already in 2025, 235 Delmarva Power customers have experienced an outage caused by foil balloons. This equates to about 270 hours customers spent without power.
Below are a few tips from Delmarva Power that can help keep celebration events safe:
– Always keep balloons tethered or attached to weights.
– Properly dispose of foil balloons by puncturing a hole to release helium that otherwise could cause the balloon to float away.
– Consider an alternative way to celebrate special holidays and events that doesn’t involve balloons. Check out PreventBalloonLitter.org for unique ideas on how to celebrate, remember and honor the people who impact our lives without the use of balloons.
If a balloon is tangled in a power line, do not attempt to retrieve it. Contract Delmarva Power at 800-375-7117 for immediate assistance. Always assume lines are energized and be mindful of overhead wires when using a ladder and keep yourself and any equipment at least 10 feet away from power lines. For more information on electric safety tips, customers can visit delmarva.com/Safety.
To learn more about Delmarva Power, visit The Source, Delmarva Power’s online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting delmarva.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/DelmarvaPower and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at x.com/DelmarvaConnect. Delmarva Power’s mobile app is available at delmarva.com/MobileApp.
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