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Community Corner

ComEd: Keep Mylar Balloons Away from Power Lines

Graduation season is here. ComEd encourages residents to make sure you protect yourself and your neighbors by keeping mylar balloons away from power lines.

Graduation season is in full swing, and with celebrations come the celabratory favors, gifts and decorations. With that in mind, ComEd is encouraging residents to keep mylar balloons away from power lines to ensure safety for you an your neighbors.

including were without electricity for four hours one Wednesday afternoon. Staff locked-down the school until power lines were cleared.

According to ComEd, "So far this year, Mylar balloons have caused power outages affecting approximately 11,000 customers...significantly higher than the 6,700 customers impacted for the same period in 2011."

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In a news release, the company said, "When a Mylar balloon contacts a power line or a part of substation equipment, its metallic properties can cause a surge of electricity that can in turn cause the equipment to short-circuit. And the spark could lead to a power outage or fire."

ComEd encourages customers to help reduce Mylar balloon-related power outages and ensure safety by keeping the following tips in mind:

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  • Keep balloons tethered at all times and attached to weights.
  • Properly dispose of Mylar balloons by puncturing the balloon to release helium that otherwise could cause the balloon to float away.
  • NEVER touch a power line. Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon or toy that is entangled in an overhead power line. For assistance, call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (800-334-7661).
  • Always assume power lines are live and keep yourself, your belongings and anything you are carrying at least 10 feet away from power lines. 

Visit ComEd's website to learn more about safety tips for this season.

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