It sometimes seems inconvenient to have to put on the proper protective clothing. But safety glasses, lab coats, gloves, and other pieces of protection really can make a big difference. Metallic, or mylar, balloons have an aluminum coating that can conduct electricity. When the balloons get loose and become tangled in overhead lines, they can cause power outages that might leave you and your neighbors wondering why the lights went out. If you do use metallic balloons outdoors, use string to secure them to solid objects, so spring breezes can't whisk them away.
Children love to carry balloons but they often lose their grip.
Tie balloons to children's wrists and limit the string length to two or three feet. Indoors, keep metallic balloons away from doors and windows where they might escape. Don't try to remove metallic balloons from power lines yourself. The following classes will be offered through the Safety Office. Call the Safety Office at x6727 to register for a class or to obtain additional information.