PG&E: Power Outages Spike at Valentine's Day

Come mid-February, PG&E has a new nemesis—those shiny, heart-shaped, metallic-looking balloons. 

Mylar balloons have caused hundreds of power outages over the years, with the number increasing by more than 100 percent since 2003, according the the utility.

PG&E stated that the loose balloons often get entangled in power lines, causing blackouts, disrupting neighborhoods and threatening to cause serious injury. 

The chart below (also in the photos section) shows the growing number of balloon-related power outages over the last decade.

So this Valentine’s Day, public works crews and PG&E ask you to tie those balloons to something safe, or keep them inside and deflate them once the day is over.

And remember, just because the balloon goes flat doesn't mean your love has!

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