Arizona Public Service (APS) reported on Apr. 3 that Mylar balloons have recently caused three separate power outages in the Valley, disrupting electricity for nearly 10,000 homes and businesses over a span of three days.
The company said these incidents highlight the risks posed by metallic-coated balloons when they come into contact with overhead power lines. According to APS, one outage in Chandler affected about 6,000 customers and was resolved within an hour. Another incident in Peoria impacted around 2,700 customers but was restored in under a minute. A third outage in Globe left nearly 1,000 homes and businesses without power after crews found a Mylar balloon likely responsible for the disruption.
APS explained that while any type of balloon can be hazardous if it becomes entangled with electrical equipment, Mylar balloons are especially dangerous because their metallic coating conducts electricity. This can result in widespread outages, damage to electrical infrastructure, fires, and potential harm to people or animals nearby.
The utility urges residents to follow several safety tips: use balloons indoors and away from power lines; secure metallic balloons with weights or tethers; never attempt to retrieve objects caught on power lines; properly dispose of used balloons by puncturing and deflating them; and always assume that all power lines are energized by keeping at least 100 feet away.
APS provides assistance programs such as the Energy Support Program for eligible households based on income and size according to the official website. The company delivers electricity to about 1.4 million customers across Arizona according to the official website and operates as a regulated utility supplying electricity throughout its service territory according to the official website. APS serves both rural and urban areas including border towns within Arizona according to the official website, offering services such as setup or transfer of service, outage support, customer billing assistance programs alongside regular electricity delivery according to the official website.
The company said taking simple precautions during celebrations will help keep communities safe from preventable outages.
