NV Energy: Secure and tether Mylar balloons during New Year's celebration
Mylar balloons have caused thousands of power outages and with New Year’s Eve Monday night, NV Energy reminds customers to keep Mylar balloons secure during New Year’s celebrations.
Mylar balloons are helium-filled balloons that are coated with a metallic finish. If they come in contact with power lines, they can cause equipment to fail resulting in a power outage.
This was the case on New Year's Eve 1999 when a Mylar balloon was released and got tangled in power lines, knocking out electricity on much of the west side of Carson Street.
NV Energy recommends the following Mylar balloon safety tips:
— Customers are encouraged to tether Mylar balloons.
— When disposing of the balloons, puncture them to release the helium. This will prevent the balloons from coming into contact with power lines and causing a power outage.
— Do not try to retrieve the balloon from the power line, instead please contact NV Energy at 775-834-4100 to report the problem.