APS says this common Valentine's Day gift caused over 100 power outages last year
APS is warning that a popular Valentine’s Day gift is responsible for power outages every year — Mylar balloons. When released into the air, the balloons get tangled in power lines.
APS spokesperson Lily Quezada says not all of last year’s balloon-related outages were caused on Valentine’s day.
“We saw 116 outages in our APS service territories that interrupted services to more than 76,000 customers,” said Quezada.
Quezada recommends taking precautions when buying the balloons, like keeping them tethered or indoors, and deflating them when you throw them away.
She also says if your balloon gets tangled in power lines, you shouldn’t go get it.
“If they do go out into the air, get released and fly out, please don’t ever attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, or kite, or really any object that becomes entangled into the power lines. This can be very dangerous,” said Quezada.
Quezada says a particular Mylar balloon-related outage caused a 13-hour service interruption in one of APS’s service territories.
