Public Service Company of New Mexico is urging graduates and their families to use caution when celebrating the achievement with Mylar balloons.
If the balloons touch electrical equipment, the conductive material can cause power outages and property damage and potentially create dangerous situations for the public.
To help prevent that, the utility offered the following safety tips:
Always securely tie Mylar balloons to a weight heavy enough to prevent them from floating away.
Keep Mylar balloons indoors or securely anchored if used outdoors to prevent them from drifting into power lines.
Never celebrate with Mylar balloons near overhead electric lines. If a balloon gets caught in a power line, do not attempt to retrieve it. Always assume downed or low-hanging power lines are energized and dangerous.
After the celebration is over, Mylar balloons should be deflated and disposed of in the trash.
PNM says Mylar balloons caused 28 outages in 2023, resulting in 46 cumulative hours without power for some customers.
Anyone who sees a Mylar balloon come into contact with power lines is asked to stay away and report it by calling 888-342-5766. More electrical safety tips are available here.