Ameren warns customers that releasing metallic balloons can cause power outages

Spring is a popular time of year for families and friends to gather and celebrate special occasions such as graduation and other milestones.

But to keep the celebrations safe, Ameren is urging customers to be careful when using Mylar balloons.

Mylar balloons, while festive, can cause power outages and safety issues when they come into contact with electric power lines or equipment. These metallic balloons conduct electricity, leading to surges and shorts that can disrupt power, start fires, and damage the electric grid.

Last year alone, there were hundreds of balloon-related outages nationwide. Ameren has responded to more than 170 balloon-related outages since 2021, with an average duration of 111 minutes, impacting over 14,000 customers.

“We’re not trying to be the balloon police. We understand that this is a time for celebrating graduations, weddings, birthdays, and spring holidays,” said Patrick Smith, senior vice president of operations and technical services for Ameren Illinois. “We want to remind everyone to keep balloons tethered and weighted during use, and properly puncture and dispose of them afterward to prevent them from escaping and causing issues with our power lines and substations.”

Mylar balloons also pose a safety hazard for line workers who must safely remove them from high voltage lines.

“Mylar balloons may look fun and innocent, but when released near power lines, they cause major issues. They pose significant safety risks and can result in complex cleanup tasks before service can be restored,” said Ben Lynch, director of distribution operations for Ameren Missouri. “A little extra precaution can truly help us keep the lights on.”

If you see a Mylar balloon entangled in electric infrastructure, always assume the line is live and do not attempt to remove it yourself. Instead, call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000 or Ameren Missouri at 1-800-552-7583, and a crew will be dispatched to safely handle the situation.