Southern California Edison:

WHAT:

  

Southern California Edison (SCE) and the County of Los Angeles Fire Department will join to strongly urge the public to enjoy their metallic balloons during Mother’s Day, graduations and proms, but to celebrate safely by keeping them attached to a weight as required by California law and to never release them outdoors. The event also will feature a small-scale demonstration by electrical safety professionals of what happens when balloons get caught in power lines and how that can endanger the public.

 

WHEN:

9-10 a.m., May 9.

 

WHERE:

Southern California Flower Market, 742 Maple Ave., Los Angeles. MAP

 

WHO:

 

-- Marlyn Denter, manager, Consumer Affairs, SCE.
-- Scott Miller, inspector, County of L.A. Fire Department.
-- SCE electrical safety professionals.
 

BACKGROUND:

SCE and the fire department will highlight the dangers of letting balloons float into power lines and provide safety tips to help avoid potential dangers. SCE balloon weights also will be distributed to the public. This event aims to raise awareness about the importance of keeping balloons tied down and preventing them from straying into power lines and disrupting service. Metallic balloons hitting power lines caused 689 outages for SCE last year, including a one-month high of 116 last May.

 

PARKING:

Complimentary media parking is available on the rooftop of the market’s parking lot.