Are Mylar balloons dangerous to power lines?
Dangers of mylar balloons. Mylar balloons, used to celebrate everything from births to anniversaries, pose a hazardous risk if they come into contact with high-voltage power lines.
Did a Mylar balloon start a California fire?
In 2015, a mylar balloon struck a power line and sparked a blaze that burned 75 acres in California's Butte County. Two years earlier, a bouquet of metallic balloons drifted into transmission power lines in Tehama County, starting the Deer Fire, which burned more than 11,000 acres over several days.
Can I fly mylar balloons outside?
Mylar balloons should be flown indoors, or tethered with weights or securely tied if used outside, according to utility officials, who have issued public appeals in states from Connecticut to Texas. They and the Balloon Council, an industry trade group, also advise consumers to puncture and deflate the balloons before throwing them out.
What are Mylar balloons made of?
Balloons made of mylar — a trademarked form of thin, non-stretchable aluminized plastic film — hit the market in the 1970s and are today a common sight at birthdays, graduations and other celebrations. Mylar balloons have also proved to be a constant menace to utilities and fire departments.
Why are Mylar balloons dangerous?
Mylar balloons, while festive, are dangerous and the cause of several power outages in Glendale each year. That's because the balloons are conductive and when released into the sky can get caught in high voltage power lines.
Are Mylar balloons dangerous for babies?
Latex balloons are not recommended for children younger than 8 years old. If a balloon breaks, collect the pieces immediately and dispose of them out of the reach of children. Shiny foil balloons, commonly known as Mylar balloons, can be a safer choice, but adult supervision is recommended with any type of balloon.
Are foil balloons poisonous?
In the balloon industry they are called “foil balloons” because they are made of a nylon sheet, coated on one side with polyethylene and a thin layer of metal on the other side. Neither of these types of balloons have materials that are particularly toxic.
Do Mylar balloons cause fires?
Mylar Balloons Safety Tips The metallic coating—or Mylar—on the balloons conducts electricity, so when it meets a power line, it can not only cause an outage in your neighborhood, but can even spark an electrical fire.
How many kids died from balloons?
Although the highest mortality occurred among infants, 30(25%) of the 121 deaths occurred in children 6 years of age or older. Balloons account for 43% of the approximately 15 childhood deaths related to children's products that are documented each year by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
How many balloons are dangerous?
Is there a 'safe' level that you can do without it causing long term effects? Used in a safe environment (away from roads and rivers for example), and at a dose of a few balloons or bullets every so often, is pretty safe. Try not to use more than five balloons in a session and leave several minutes between each hit.
What balloons are safe for kids?
Opt for mylar balloons. Made from metalized nylon film, these balloons are sturdier than latex balloons, easier to inflate, less likely to be inhaled and less likely to break into small pieces. Mylar balloons are more expensive, but they are safer for children.
What is Mylar balloons made of?
Mylar balloons have a seam and are made of a metal (foil) coated plastic such as polyethylene or nylon. They usually have a shiny, reflective surface and often times have designs with pictures and/or words.
Is it safe for toddlers to play with balloons?
Balloons mold to the throat and lungs and can completely block breathing. Because of the danger of suffocation, the CPSC recommends that parents and guardians do not allow children under the age of eight to play with uninflated balloons without supervision.
Why do Mylar balloons cause power outages?
Mylar balloons are the metallic shiny, silver-like balloons which cause thousands of power outages each year when they float away and come into contact with power lines.
What is the difference between Mylar and latex balloons?
Mylar balloons are shinier than latex balloons because they are made of two different materials. The base material is mylar, which is a type of nylon, while the outer, thin layer is foil, which is aluminum. That's why mylar and foil balloons are the same.
Is Mylar foil flammable?
During normal processing, storage, and use, Mylar® does not present a significant flammability hazard; but like all organic materials, it will burn under suitable conditions, reaching surface temperatures of 300–600°C (575–1,110°F) and flame tempera- tures of 500–1,000°C (930–1,830°F) (Ref. 12).
Are helium balloons dangerous for babies?
Balloons mold to the throat and lungs and can completely block breathing. Because of the danger of suffocation, the CPSC recommends that parents and guardians do not allow children under the age of eight to play with uninflated balloons without supervision.
What happens if my child swallowed a balloon?
Speaking to TOI, Dr A N Ventakesh, head of emergency medicine, Apollo hospitals, said “If older children ingest something like a balloon, it enters the stomach and passes out through the motion. In small children, the airway is narrower and it gets stuck causing a life-threatening condition.
Can you suffocate from a balloon?
Of all children's products, balloons are the leading cause of suffocation death, according to CPSC injury data. Since 1973, more than 110 children have died as a result of suffocation involving uninflated balloons or pieces of balloons.
What are Mylar balloons made out of?
Mylar balloons have a seam and are made of a metal (foil) coated plastic such as polyethylene or nylon. They usually have a shiny, reflective surface and often times have designs with pictures and/or words.
Why are mylar balloons so popular?
While Mylar balloons have increased in popularity as party and celebration decorations, they have also become the cause of many power outages. With summer celebrations in full swing, FirstEnergy is warning customers about the public safety risks associated with helium-filled metallic balloons.
Can you deflate a balloon once it's no longer in use?
Puncture and deflate metallic balloons once they are no longer in use because they can stay inflated for several weeks. Never release them into the sky! Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that becomes caught in a power line.
The Problem
With shimmering colors and fantastic shapes, Mylar balloons can lift the spirits of any event. Be it a birthday, “Get Well Soon,” Graduation celebration or Valentine’s Day – receiving a Mylar balloon will undeniably put a smile on your face.
1. Mylar balloons are plastic
What goes up, must come down– and all Mylar balloons come down as litter in our environment. Mylar and other plastics make up 60-90% of all marine debris in the ocean.
2. Mylar balloons are NOT biodegradable
Mylar Balloons are not classified as biodegradable, as compared to natural latex balloons. Because Mylar and foil balloons are made of a polyester film and/or metal layer, it is considered trash and does not break down easily or naturally. After being in the ocean, these balloons can wreaks havoc on marine life.
3. Mylar balloons harm marine animals
We know that plastic kills marine animals. Balloons, most notably, are commonly ingested by wildlife due to their attractive colors, and they cause intestinal issues and starvation. When foil balloons degrade, they lose their metallic finish and become clear.
4. Mylar balloons are NOT easily recyclable
This is due to many reasons. First, it is extremely costly for this type of balloon to be recycled, and the flexible plastic often gets caught in the machinery, leading to expensive repairs. Additionally, in foil balloons, the metallized outer layer must be separated from the plastic layer before being remelted.
5. Mylar balloons cause fires and power outages
Mylar balloons covered in a thin layer of metal, otherwise known as foil balloons, cause problems on land as much as they do in the ocean. When this type of balloon floats into a power line or substation equipment, it causes a power surge that can short circuit the equipment and cause a spark leading to a fire, power outages and even injuries.
What is mylar made of?
According to the platics industry, mylar is made with Polyethylene Terephthalate. Formaldehyde is used to embomb bodies after death and is poison to a living being. There are many references online linking Polyethylene Terephthalate to Formaldehyde.
Is drinking a gallon of water bad for you?
Seriously people, ANYTHING can be bad for you. Water is great, drink a gallon or more of real water a day for good health. But drink too much and you'll drown. Fresh air is nice if your not living downwind from a chemical factory or right under the power lines...
Is plastic safe to eat?
There probably isn't a plastic that is entirely safe. Unless there is a better alternative that keeps food as fresh as long, I'd rather have food stored in mylar and take the risk than have no food at all (IMHO).
Is plutonium a part of mylar?
But so is Plutonium and just like formaldehyde, plutonium isn’t part of Mylar! What can be released from degrading Mylar (PET) if it is stored in oh let’s say DIRECT SUNLIGHT for a month or two, is Acetaldehyde ... not formaldehyde.
