HECO cautions of metallic balloon hazards
Advertiser Staff
With graduation coming up, Hawaiian Electric Company is reminding the public that metallic, helium-filled balloons can be hazardous if they drift into energized power lines and cause a short circuit.
HECO offers the following tips:
• Attach a small weight — such as a mug, toy of bag of candy — to the string or ribbon attached to the balloon.
• Do not remove the weight until the balloon has been deflated.
• Each balloon should be attached to its own weight. Avoid tying a number of balloons together; there is a greater chance of them rising as a cluster and becoming entangled in power lines.
• Never use metallic ribbons with helium-filled balloons.
• Never release metallic balloons into the sky.
• Dispose of metallic balloons properly; cut the balloon at the knot or sealing point.
If a metallic balloon is caught in a power line, do not attempt to recover it.
Call HECO at 548-7961 to report it.
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