With the end of the school year quickly approaching, many will celebrate the accomplishments of recent graduates with outdoor festivities. And, with warmer weather upon us, it’s also the time when customers begin to hold other events outdoors. PECO reminds customers that these events can be dangerous and lead to power outages if Mylar balloons become loose and come into contact with overhead power lines.

When a Mylar balloon contacts a power line or a piece of electric equipment, its metallic material can cause a surge of electricity that can lead to power outages and other potentially dangerous situations.

To ensure a safe and fun-filled celebration, customers should keep the following safety tips in mind:

  • Always assume power lines are energized and keep yourself, your belongings and anything you are carrying at least 10 feet away from power lines.
  • Mylar balloons and other decorations should be kept away from overhead power lines and all utility equipment. These objects can become entangled in lines and cause a power outage and potentially injury.
  • Keep balloons tethered and attached to weights at all times.
  • Always properly dispose of Mylar balloons, safely puncturing the balloon to release the helium that otherwise could cause the balloon to float away.
  • NEVER touch a power line. Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon, toy or other type of debris that is entangled in an overhead power line. For assistance, call PECO to report the problem at 1-800-494-4000 so our crews can remove the item safely.

PECO customers can learn more about power line safety by visiting peco.com/safety.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). PECO serves 1.6 million electric and more than 506,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region. PECO delivered 89.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 37.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2014. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

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