Arizona Public Service (APS) reported on Apr. 3 that three separate incidents involving Mylar balloons caused power outages for nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in the Valley over a three-day period.
The warning comes as APS seeks to raise awareness about the dangers posed by metallic balloons, which can conduct electricity and disrupt service when they come into contact with overhead power lines. According to APS, one outage in Chandler left approximately 6,000 customers without electricity until crews restored service within an hour. Another incident in Peoria affected about 2,700 customers but was resolved in under a minute. A third outage impacted nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in Globe after a Mylar balloon was found near a tree believed to have hit a power line.
APS said that while all types of balloons can create hazards if they reach power lines, the metallic coating on Mylar balloons increases the risk of widespread outages and potential fires or injuries. The company urges customers to use balloons safely—indoors and away from power lines—and recommends securing metallic balloons with weights or tethers. “Never attempt to retrieve a balloon, kite, or any object caught in a power line,” APS said. Customers are advised to report such situations by calling the APS Outage Hotline or visiting aps.com/outage.
In addition to these safety reminders, Arizona Public Service provides assistance programs such as the Energy Support Program for eligible households based on income and size according to the official website. The company delivers electricity across its regulated service territory—including border towns as well as rural and urban areas—to about 1.4 million customers statewide according to the official website.
As celebrations increase during favorable weather conditions, APS encourages everyone to take precautions so festivities do not result in unexpected disruptions for entire neighborhoods. The utility also offers related services such as outage support and customer billing assistance programs according to the official website.
By following simple safety steps when handling balloons—such as keeping them indoors or securely tethered—APS says communities can help ensure reliable electric service remains uninterrupted during special occasions.
