Lombard Fire Marshal issues warning of Mylar balloon safety

LOMBARD, Illinois—Lombard's Fire Marshal Chuck Riforgiate wishes to make residents aware that Mylar balloons can cause dangerous power outages.

With spring graduations and outdoor entertaining season upon us, Commonwealth Edison has issued a reminder that Mylar balloons should be tethered at all times. Keeping Mylar balloon safely away from electrical lines and deflating metallic balloons before disposing of them will help reduce the chance of metallic balloons making contact and causing power outages, fires and possible injuries.

When Mylar balloons come in contact with a power line, their metallic properties cause a surge of electricity which can cause equipment to short circuit and lead to power outages and fires.

To reduce these outages, ComEd offers the following tips:

• Keep balloons tethered at all times and attached to a weight.

• When disposing of Mylar balloons, make sure to puncture them to ensure lingering helium doesn't cause them to float and blow around if the garbage container is overturned.

• If a balloon or another toy becomes entangled in an overhead power line, don't attempt to retrieve it. Instead, call ComEd at 800-EDISON-1 (800-334-7661.)

• Always assume power lines are live and keep yourself, your equipment and all other items at least 10 feet away from power lines.

For more safety tips, visit www.ComEd.com.