DELMARVA- As graduation parties and summer celebrations pick up, Delmarva Power is warning locals to keep Mylar balloons, also known as foil balloons, secure and away from power lines to prevent avoidable outages.
The company says that in the first five months of 2025 alone, 235 customers have been left without power due to Mylar balloons coming in contact with electric lines. That’s more than 270 hours of lost electricity.
Foil balloons have a metallic coating that can cause damage when they come into contact with power equipment.
From 2015 through 2024, the utility recorded 123 power outages linked to Mylar balloons, affecting nearly 22,000 people who live in the area.
To help people celebrate safely, Delmarva Power offers these tips:
- Always keep Mylar balloons tethered or attached to a weight.
- When finished, pop balloons to release helium before throwing them away
- Consider balloon-free alternatives for celebrations
- Never try to retrieve a balloon tangled in power lines. Call Delmarva Power
- Maintain a safe distance of at least 10 feet from power lines when using ladders or other outdoor equipment