SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Breakfast in bed, macaroni necklaces, flowers and balloon bouquets may
be popular gifts this Mother’s Day, but Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(PG&E) reminds customers that metallic balloons can cause power outages
and pose a public safety risk. Last year, metallic balloons striking
electric lines caused 370 power outages in PG&E’s service area alone,
disrupting electric service to more than 198,000 homes and businesses.
That’s why PG&E is supporting California Assembly Bill 2709 –
legislation that aims to drastically reduce power outages and enhance
public safety by banning the sale or distribution of balloons made of
electrically conductive material.
“Electric outages caused by metallic balloons have steadily increased in
the last decade, despite public service announcements and awareness
campaigns. Public safety is PG&E’s top priority and we want to help
ensure that balloons are enjoyed responsibly, so the appliances stay on
to provide breakfast in bed for mom,” said Jason Regan, director, PG&E
Emergency Management.
In addition to disrupting electric service, metallic balloons contacting
power lines can create a public safety risk. Last year, a metallic
balloon striking a power line sparked the Webb Fire which burned 75
acres in Butte County.
AB 2709, introduced by Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), is under
consideration by the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. If passed,
the balloon ban would go into effect Jan. 1, 2018. California Municipal
Utilities Association, California Fire Chiefs Association, City of
Glendale Water and Power Department, Fire Districts Association of
California, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Southern California Edison
and Southern California Public Power Authority also support the bill.
With Mother’s Day on Sunday, PG&E urges families celebrating with
balloons to follow these important safety tips:
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“Look Up and Live!” Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic
balloons near overhead electric lines.
-
Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to a
weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Never
remove the weight.
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Keep metallic balloons indoors, when possible. For everyone's safety,
never permit metallic balloons to be released outside.
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Do not bundle metallic balloons together.
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Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that
becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and immediately call
PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.
-
Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is
dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized
and extremely dangerous. Stay far away, keep others away and
immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco,
with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the
nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and
Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/
and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.
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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160503006663/en/
Source: PG&E Corporation