PG&E Urges Grads to Celebrate Safely With Weighted Balloons

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–With graduation season in full swing, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(PG&E) is warning customers about the public safety risks associated
with helium-filled metallic balloons: If your graduation celebration
involves balloons, make sure they are secured with a weight. Otherwise
they can float away and come into contact with overhead power lines,
causing a public safety risk.

In the first five months of 2017, metallic balloons striking electric
lines have caused nearly 132 power outages in PG&E’s service area alone,
disrupting service to more than 76,000 customers. These power outages
can interrupt electric service to critical facilities such as hospitals,
schools and traffic lights. PG&E typically sees a spike in the number of
outages caused by metallic balloons during the graduation season.

“It may look fun and festive to release balloons in the air during
graduation ceremonies, but when helium-filled metallic balloons come
into contact with overhead lines they can cause a widespread power
outage. PG&E encourages grads to celebrate safely by keeping metallic
balloons secured with weights,” said Pat Hogan, senior vice president,
PG&E Electric Operations.

Metallic balloons have a silvery coating, which is a conductor for
electricity. If the balloons float away and make contact with power
lines, they can short transformers, cause power outages and melt
electrical wires, causing public safety risks. Last year, a homecoming
parade in the North Coast turned dark after a group of metallic balloons
slipped away from a float and hit a power line, which came down
energized. More than 2,700 customers lost power for most of the day and
the homecoming dance was cancelled.

To help ensure that graduation balloon celebrations are enjoyed
responsibly, PG&E reminds customers to follow these important balloon
safety tips:

• “Look Up and Live!” Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic
  balloons near overhead electric lines.
• Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to a
  weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Never
  remove the weight.
• Keep metallic balloons indoors, when possible. For everyone’s safety,
  never permit metallic balloons to be released outside.
• Do not bundle metallic balloons together.
• Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that
  becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and immediately call
  PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.
• Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is
  dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized
  and extremely dangerous. Stay far away, keep others away and
  immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco,
with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the
nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and
Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/
and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.

Contacts

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Megan McFarland, 415-973-5930