Valentine’s Day is a special day for sweethearts and families to celebrate love each year. People flock to their local grocery and party stores to buy candy and balloons for the people they care about. However, the cute heart shaped metallic balloons that are so popular every year could have costly and even deadly side effects. As part of the “Teach Learn Care” TLC campaign, Safe Electricity urges consumers to understand the proper safety steps that must be taken.

“Many people are unaware that metallic balloons, called Mylar balloons, are actually powerful conductors of electricity,” Kyle Finley, owner of Live Line Demo Inc. said. “In fact each Mylar balloon carries a warning label which states that it can conduct electricity, it should not be released outdoors, near overhead power lines, and misuse may cause personal injury. Buying Mylar balloons is so commonplace, people just completely over look the warning and never realize that they’re creating an electrical hazard for themselves and their loved ones.”

Metallic balloons that are not secured properly can float up into power lines or come down into electrical substations. The consequences can lead to substantial impacts ranging from power outages to extensive equipment damage. The cost of these impacts can cost thousands and even millions of dollars.

Finley states another risk could actually lead to injury or even death.

“As parents, we often tie balloons to our children’s wrists to keep them from floating away,” Finley said. “If we tie a metallic ribbon to a Mylar balloon and then attach it to our child, we have actually created a potential path to ground for electricity. The results can be deadly.”

For example, if the balloon is carried outside near equipment like the electrical service connection or if it happens to touch an exposed wire indoors, it could potentially cause electric shock injury or kill the person holding it.

Safe Electricity wants everyone to enjoy their Valentine’s Day with their special someone. However, when the celebration is over please remember to puncture the balloons and throw them away to keep them safely away from power lines and electrical equipment.

To see a live line power demonstration and to learn more about the risks posed by Mylar balloons and other electrical safety hazards, visit www.SafeElectricity.org.