Warning Balloon: Keep Metallic Balloons Away From Power Lines

CHICAGO, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, a Mylar balloon touched a ComEd overhead electrical line and left 393 ComEd customers without power on Chicago's North Side. This was the 35th such outage in 2008, which combined to disrupt service to 19,855 customers. The outages provide a reminder of the dangers to electrical lines posed by metallic balloons and the need to control these balloons.

The problem is most prominent in the spring and summer due to graduations and outdoor parties. When Mylar balloons touch a power line, their metallic properties cause a surge of electricity. The line short-circuits, which can then lead to power outages, fires and possible injuries.

Sunday's outage affected 393 customers when a Mylar balloon flew into a power line near Chicago Avenue and I-90. This followed a July 4 outage affecting 7,400 in Bridgeview, Hickory Hills, Palos Hills and Worth. The next largest 2008 balloon-related outages are as follows:

    -- 3,453 customers in Chicago, Chicago Heights, Lansing, Olympia Fields,
       Park Forest and South Chicago Heights lost power on March 27.
    -- 1,127 customers in McHenry, Round Lake and Spring Grove on June 14.
    -- 1,014 customers on Chicago's South Side around Francisco and 40th
       Street on March 1.

ComEd offers several suggestions to help keep the lights on during the outdoor party season:

    -- Keep metallic and all other types of balloons indoors and away from
       overhead power lines. (Even non-metallic balloons can become entangled
       in lines and cause an outage.)
    -- Keep balloons tethered at all times.
    -- Never use balloons, kites, model airplanes and other toys near overhead
       power lines.
    -- If a balloon or another toy becomes entangled in an overhead power
       line, don't attempt to retrieve it. Instead, call ComEd at
       1-800-Edison-1 (1-800-334-7661).
    -- Always assume power lines are live. Always keep yourself, your
       equipment and all other items, including toys, at least 10 feet away
       from power lines. NEVER assume that a power line is safe to touch. Stay
       Away! Stay Safe!


    For other safety tips, http://www.exeloncorp.com/ComEd/SafetyTips.com.

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across Northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population.

SOURCE Commonwealth Edison Company