MAYS LANDING — It’s graduation season which means many are celebrating, often with Mylar balloons. Atlantic City Electric reminds customers of the negative impact that Mylar balloons, also known as foil balloons, can have on the electric grid and the marine environment.
Foil balloons are made with a metallic coated shell and when they are released and contact a power line, significant damage can occur leading to unnecessary power outages. From 2015 through 2024, there were 228 separate outage events in which more than 18,500 Atlantic City Electric customers experienced an outage due to a Mylar balloon contacting electric infrastructure. Already in 2025, 192 Atlantic City Electric customers have experienced an outage caused by foil balloons. This equates to about 290 hours customers spent without power.
Releasing lighter than air balloons can endanger marine wildlife because prevailing winds cause them to drift above the Atlantic Ocean where they burst and fall into the sea. Marine mammals ingest the plastic and can become entangled in the ribbons that are attached. Additionally, helium is a non-renewable resource that should be reserved for scientific use.
Below are a few tips from Atlantic City Electric that can help keep celebration events safe:
1. Always keep balloons tethered or attached to weights.
2. Properly dispose of foil balloons by puncturing a hole to release helium that otherwise could cause the balloon to float away.
3. Consider an alternative way to celebrate special holidays and events that doesn’t involve balloons. Check out PreventBalloonLitter.org for unique ideas on how to celebrate, remember and honor the people who impact our lives without the use of balloons.
If a balloon is tangled in a power line, do not attempt to retrieve it. Contract Atlantic City Electric at 800-833-7476 for immediate assistance. Always assume lines are energized and be mindful of overhead wires when using a ladder and keep yourself and any equipment at least 10 feet away from power lines.
For more information on electric safety tips, customers can visit atlanticcityelectric.com/Safety.
