Foil balloons, drones, fireworks and power
lines don't mix
AKRON,
Ohio, May 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In
recognition of National Electrical Safety Month and the unofficial
start of summer on Memorial Day, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is
urging the public to keep safety top of mind. Celebrating
responsibly around potential electrical hazards while participating
in outdoor activities will help keep customers safe and the
electricity flowing reliably this summer season.
Chad Stoneking, Director of
Safety Operations at FirstEnergy: "Summer is a time for
celebrations and having fun outdoors. But as we do so, we need to
be sure that we are putting safety first to protect ourselves, our
property and the electric grid. Keeping aware of your surroundings
and making responsible decisions can help prevent unnecessary
disruptions to your electric service during a time when many people
rely on their air conditioning to stay cool and comfortable."
The Electrical Safety Foundation organizes National Electrical
Safety Month to emphasize the importance of electrical safety in
all aspects and seasons. Early summer is a prime time for
graduation parties, weddings and holiday celebrations, such as
Memorial Day and Independence Day, that feature items that can be
hazardous to the electric grid. For example, foil balloons and
fireworks can create safety issues and cause major damage to the
electric system when they are used near power lines and electrical
equipment.
The metallic coating of foil balloons, which have increased in
popularity, conducts electricity and causes power outages when they
drift into power lines or electrical equipment. In recent months,
foil balloons were to blame for more than 35 power outages across
FirstEnergy's six-state service area.
Customers should securely tie helium-filled foil balloons to a
weight heavy enough to prevent them from floating away, and
puncture and deflate them once they are no longer in use, as they
can otherwise stay inflated for several weeks. Never release them
into the sky.
FirstEnergy also encourages customers to leave the large,
colorful fireworks displays to the professionals. Extra caution
should be used when handling fireworks, firecrackers and rockets at
home, and they should only be lit in open areas where no power
lines are in sight. Should a firework accidentally come in contact
with a power line or equipment, leave it alone and immediately call
911 to report the problem.
To help ensure holidays and celebrations are enjoyed
responsibly, customers should keep the additional outdoor safety
tips in mind:
- Never fly kites, motorized airplanes or drones near power
lines. While kites almost always use cotton string, wet cotton
string can conduct electricity as well as metal string.
- Never attempt to retrieve any type of object that gets caught
in a power line or drifts or crashes into a substation. Leave it
alone and immediately call FirstEnergy at 888-544-4877 to report
the problem.
- Keep electrical devices and cords at least 10-feet away from
water sources such as pools and spas. When possible, use
battery-operated electrical devices outside.
- All outdoor receptacles should be covered to keep them dry.
This is especially important around pools, spas and other summer
water activities.
- When hauling a boat, make sure it clears overhead power lines
and stay away from power lines when sailing.
- Never climb a tree that is growing near or into overhead lines
or near a utility pole. Also, never climb utility poles or other
infrastructure, in particular transmission towers or substation
fences. These activities are extremely hazardous and can result in
very severe injuries.
- Stay far away from a downed or low-hanging power line. Always
assume any downed wires are energized and dangerous. Report them
ASAP by calling 911.
To get familiarized with drone safety, the public can visit
FirstEnergy's Drone Safety Zone, the first video game of its kind
in the utility industry that allows players to learn current rules
and best practices for drone operators while racing against
others.
To learn more about FirstEnergy's "Stop. Look. Live."
safety campaign, visit
www.firstenergycorp.com/publicsafety.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving customers in Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Maryland and
New York. The company's
transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and follow
FirstEnergy and its electric companies on X, formerly known as
Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp, @OhioEdison, @ToledoEdison,
@IlluminatingCo, @W_Penn_Power, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed,
@JCP_L, @PotomacEdison, @MonPowerWV.
Editor's Note: A video discussing the hazards posed
by foil balloons and tips for safe disposal is available here on
FirstEnergy's YouTube channel. B-Roll can be found here.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.