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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 7, 2010

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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On the Net:

HECO: http://www.heco.com/portal/site/heco/menuitem.8e4610c1e23714340b4c0610c510b1ca/?vgnextoid=e5381d82d7927210VgnVCM1000005c011bacRCRD&vgnextfmt=default